Give More Than Just Words

Psalm 41:1-2 Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

Blessed, or happy, is the person who concerns themselves with the helpless, the needy, the weak. As followers of Jesus, we are to show the same genuine compassion for the poor as He showed toward us, who were also helpless, needy, and poor. We were helpless and had no way to redeem ourselves. We were in desperate need of salvation, but had no means of acquiring it. We were poor in our works, for there was, and is, no amount of works we could do to earn eternal life. Our Heavenly Father knew how poor and needy we were and sent His only begotten Son to pay a price that we could never pay. Now, we who were once poor, and had no hope, are rich and have a Living Hope, in Jesus Christ our Savior. This is the kind of compassion and care we are to have toward the poor. When God makes us aware of a need, we must take of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us, and share them with those who lack. I am not only speaking of material things. I am speaking of giving our time, talents, abilities, and if necessary, yes...of our material things also. 1 John 3:16-18 clearly reminds us, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." In other words, true compassion, concern, and love is more than just lip service. God is Debtor to no one. There is a promise of blessings and protection for those who consider the poor. Let us put our love for God where our mouth is, and prove it by our love and compassion for those who are poor, and in need.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).