He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him. Proverbs 19:17 AMPC
Context and Charge:
How would you want God to pay you back for what you do? If I have the clear understanding that all actions have consequences, would I not want to be careful about what I do and how and why I do whatever it is I do? There is nothing done in vain under heaven; God is too careful and precise to be involved in anything useless. If He commands a particular action, it is because He has tied some amazing blessings to that action. If I am careful to do the action the exact way God has laid it out, I get the blessings attached to that action. Of course, if I also do not do it the way God has laid it down, it is a waste of time to fast and pray for the blessings. Disobedience is automatic disqualification from access to the blessing tied to obedience. If I would still be entitled to the blessings tied to obedience even whilst I am wilfully disobedient, then God may be deemed to be a liar. His mercy may speak for a while, but sin will disqualify you eventually, unless you repent.
Now that I know where God stands and what His Word says, I have to do it. His Word asks me to have pity on the poor. It is not about mere mouth confession but life profession. My life must minister to the needs of the poor. As I do that, I am making deposits into God's bank, and as you know, God's bank never goes bankrupt. Whatever it is I keep with him is safe forever. All he asks from me is to have pity and use what I have to help the poor. Now, how is that compared to lending to the Lord? I believe God is concerned about the poor and anyone who pities them has God's kind of heart. That is why God will bless anyone who lives out His nature. Helping those who are helpless is like what God did for us. He didn't wait until we were worthy or deserving of His help before He forgave us and sealed eternal life for us. That is the example we are called to emulate.
Conviction and Conclusion:
The part of the verse that speaks to the available reward is also important. God repays all of us for what we do, as well as how we do it and why we do it. You can share all you have with the poor, but if you do it for visibility or human applause, that's all you will get. If I do it out of a sense of duty, not love, I miss the opportunity God wants to use to teach me how to appreciate every mercy I have received. If I do it with the right heart, because I know who I am, who I work for and why I do the work I do, I am in line for some amazing experiences. God does not owe a man; it may appear like delay, but all of us will get our just dessert when the time is right. By God's law, whatever I do is a seed, and whatever I sow is what I will reap, but usually in larger quantities. If I will enjoy the consequences of my actions, I must be sure they are of the right kind. God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment