Apparently my articles are causing backlash and the guilty are once again using my kids and continuing to take their anger at me out on them. Why they feel the need to stalk me, I have no idea. But, stalk on, freaky bros! 😉 You do realize you're only angry because you're being exposed, right? You know what you did and you know it was wrong. Evil hates light, but truth hates darkness. Spoiler alert: God wins! That means the truth will triumph. You’d be better served examining your own hearts and figuring out why you have the sick desire to continue hurting innocent kids to try to hurt me. And don't you dare come down on my child for me finding out about you reading these! God knows what you did and sees what you do. You're not immune to His consequences. What’s done in secret will be revealed in the light, and that says more about you than me. May His words enter your soul and change your hearts. ❤️
Anyway…back to Proverbs 31….
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20 — Revised Standard Version
Last week in “Proverbs 31: Part Six”, I mentioned how leaving her light burning all night was more about hospitality than her staying up all night, working. That ties in with this verse. This idea of helping the poor and needy doesn't merely start or stop here in Proverbs 31.
You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’” Deuteronomy 15:10, 11 — New American Standard
This is pretty straightforward. Sadly, I know a lot of Christians who either a) give, but make a big show of it so everybody knows or b) grumbles and complains about it. These are heart issues that only God can handle. In both cases, God is not pleased and they are not examples of hospitality nor generosity. This verse literally says, “…and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him…” This isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command.
As I brought up in “Proverbs 31: Part Three”, being needy is about more than just giving money. It’s about meeting people's individual needs. There's also a blessing that's promised when you genuinely help the poor and needy.
He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. Proverbs 22:9 — Amplified Bible
This reiterates the blessing of those who give fully, not withholding or begrudgingly. If giving in the right way, the giver will feel good about what they did. Elsewhere, the Bible does talk about robbing the joy of the giver when their offering is rejected. That says more about the receiver than the giver.
The following personal experience is an example of giving with the wrong heart and attitude.
I was in a checkout line behind an older couple. The man was slow and shaky and the woman was in a motorized cart. For me, it’d been a long day and I just wanted to get home. After a bit, I realized the man was searching for more money; patting his pockets, checking his wallet, asking the woman with him (I’m assuming his wife) if she had any. He couldn't pay for all of the groceries they needed. After listening to him and the clerk, it seemed he was only short by ten cents. He simply didn’t have it so he then started consulting with his wife about what to put back. Annoyed, I dug in my wallet and gave the clerk a dime. I smiled tightly, handing it over and she smiled back, thanking me. “It’s a freaking dime!” I thought, still irritated, but I hoped it’d speed things up. When the man turned back to the clerk, she indicated me and explained what I’d done. He turned to me with his rheumy eyes and started thanking me profusely, his eyes growing even more watery as he talked and explained this was all they could afford for the whole month and they hadn’t known what to put back. He then told his wife what happened and she leaned around him to look at me from her cart. Tears were coming out of her eyes as she, too, thanked me profusely. “But it was just a dime”, I thought again, weakly. By this point, I was choking back tears of shame and wanted to escape to my car. I meekly paid for my things and hurried to my car, finally bursting into tears. How selfish of me to want to hurry the couple along just because I had a bad day. To add to it, my impatient act, not given in love, had still touched them. They were grateful for the measly dime; they were grateful to such a wretch as I. The lesson I learned was powerful. God can use even our selfish acts to bless someone, but we won’t be rewarded with the joy of giving. Giving is designed to bring joy to both the giver and receiver. I robbed myself of joy that day by giving with the wrong heart and attitude.
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord — and He will repay you. Proverbs 19:17 — New Living Translation
Truly, when we help the poor and needy, in love, we are the physical representation of God. It’s not to be taken lightly. Mind yourself when acting on His behalf. That person’s soul is at stake.
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 — Analytical Edition
It is especially important to remember to help children, “these little ones.” Orphans and widows are dear to God’s heart.
Some translations say “…one of the least of my followers.” Regardless, children or not, we all need a little help sometimes.
The way you treat others is a direct reflection of the way you believe God treats you. If you don't truly believe He loves you, you will be incapable of showing true love to others.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 — New International Version
Reiterating Matthew 10:42 here. When we help someone, we’re helping God do His work on earth. Sure, He could swoop down and do it all Himself, but a) that’d be a pretty terrifying sight and b) we’d learn nothing if He did. Helping people is as much for our benefit as for the one we’re helping.
Fact: What we do on earth will affect our standing in heaven on Judgment Day.
Alright, I feel like I say this a lot, but I again want to reaffirm that I’m not speaking to those who hold different beliefs than I do. It’s your business what you believe. I’m not here to try to change that.
For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other Christians, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Hebrews 6:10, 11 — New Living Translation
“…what you hope for will come true” backs up what I said about your deeds counting for or against you on Judgment Day. God sees. God knows. God judges.
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:7, 8 — New International Version
Many invent reasons, make excuses, or try to justify ignoring the poor. God doesn't give caveats. He's like Nike and says, “Just do it!” In so doing, you'll learn their stories, eliciting God’s kindness and compassion through you.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he…He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth Him hath mercy on the poor. Proverbs 14:20, 21, 31 — King James Version
BOOM!!!! ‘Nough said…maybe I should’ve led with this one. 🤔
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 — New International Version
However you give will directly affect what, and how much, God gives back to you. In short, serving others comes back on us in a good way, if we do it to bring honor to Him.
One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24, 25 — Revised Standard Version
I had learned from my past experience so the next time I was faced with the chance to give, I did so without hesitation. It actually left me a little speechless!
I was minding my own business, pushing my shopping cart full of groceries. Stopping by the eggs to grab a carton, a couple approached me. The woman was obviously embarrassed. Quietly, she asked if I could spare some money because she needed some feminine hygiene products and all they had were foodstamps. She offered to pay for my groceries in exchange for cash for the hygiene products. At the time, I’d been shopping for a family of six, which would clearly supersede the amount of the price of the products she needed. To me, it was a no-brainer. Literally, without thinking, I pulled out a twenty (a lot of money for a family of six), and handed it to her with a smile, telling her to just take it. I began walking away, but she started following me, protesting it was too much and that they needed to at least pay for my groceries. I stopped and turned, seeing the guy gently tugging her arm to stop her. I smiled again and told her to not worry about it. A few minutes later, I passed by them as they were standing in line to check out. She looked at me and I noticed she was crying, but she gave me a full smile, holding up what she had needed. She told me thank you again and I told her it was no big deal. I was feeling a little self-conscious because of how many times she’d already thanked me. As I walked by, she lightly touched my arm, so I stopped. Looking me in the eye, she was still crying as she told me, “It is a big deal. To us. You don't understand.” Then she dropped her hand and I smiled and gave a sincere, “You’re welcome” before walking away. Honestly, the incident by the eggs had all happened so quickly and I felt like I was in a happy daze afterward. It felt good to help and get nothing in return — except God’s joy.
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. Proverbs 28:27 — New American Standard Version
This references Proverbs 11:24 as well as Deuteronomy 15:7.
I’d rather give and have all I need, than the alternative.
Interestingly, every version I read used the word curse. There's no other way to put it. Curse means curse!
Contribute to the needs of God’s people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality. Romans 12:13 — Amplified Bible
Hospitality often gets equated to entertaining. Not so! Hospitality is more than merely welcoming someone to your home; it’s welcoming them into your life.
Greek: Philoxenia (File-oh-zen-ee-ah); hospitality: — love of strangers
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 1 Peter 4:9 — New Living Translation
Your possessions, resources, etc. will mean nothing in heaven. Yet, they could mean everything to a person in need, here on earth. Use them wisely. Don’t be a sellout by valuing stuff, power, prestige, status, etc. over the people whom God created and loves.
Have a blessed week!