Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Chapter 19

Proverbs 19 (Liz)

Helping the poor is a theme constant though out the Bible, from beginning to end. God commanded the Israelites to do it; Jesus did it and we are to do it. God has a heart for the poor!

Proverbs 19:17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord- and he will repay you!

Who better to “lend” to than the Lord? What better to invest in than the Kingdom of God? Even when the little each one of us can do seems like it can’t be enough, we are still directed to help the poor. If we are all obedient, we will be many and we will be able to accomplish much.

I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust in God for my reward.” Isaiah 49:4

Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, Eph 6:8a

And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matt 6:18

Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full- pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:35

Our true character is reflected in how we treat the poor. Our obedience is reflected in how we treat the poor. Our love for God is reflected in how we treat the poor.