GOD’S ATTITUDE TO THE UNIMPORTANT

Proverbs 19:17 says he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.

God did not create anyone to be poor or unimportant. He definitely did not create anyone to be invisible or be a ‘nobody’ (a person of no importance or authority). There are several reasons why people end up as nobody. It could be by virtue of circumstances at birth. The crippled man in Acts 3:1-8 became a beggar because he was born with weak ankle and limbs and his parents were poor. The only way to get money to feed was to beg. Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1-16, was a highly respected and celebrated general but because he was a leper he was confined to leper’s colony. A high ranking general became unimportant because of leprosy. No one reckoned with him because he was not fit to leave in the community. Because of life challenges a very wealthy woman became poor and lonely, Mark 5:25-34. The physicians knew medical science could not solve her problem so they resulted to use her as a cash cow, and before you know it, she exhausted all her resources; poverty crept in. At times barrenness can make the favorite wife consider suicide, 1 Samuel 1:1-8. Despite the fact that Elkanah loved Hannah, Peninah her rival made it a point of duty to reduce her to tears daily because she had no child. Also the enemy through their evil schemes can cause the favorite child to become a slave in a foreign land. If you disagree with me, please read the story of Joseph, Genesis 37:1-36.

How does God treat these people- unimportant/poor/ disadvantaged? He treats them with love. Proverbs 19:17 says he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again. Actually He sent Jesus just because of them. Mark 2:17 says on hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”. When the poor, disadvantaged, sinners came to Jesus, He treated them with love. When a man comes to Jesus with his heads bowed, he leaves the presence of Jesus with his shoulders held high. When they come to Him feeling invisible, they left with a feeling of importance. The question is when people come to us with their heads bowed, how do they leave – confident or worse? How do we treat the beggar that asks us for a dime? How do we treat the gateman, school janitor, and the homeless on the streets - like humans or leave them feeling suicidal? How do you refer to people that are below you? Jesus who was the savior of the world referred to the woman with the issue of blood (an unimportant woman) as daughter, Mark 5:34. How do we treat those that are not as intelligent, confidence, rich, opportuned or as comfortable as us?

ACTION POINT: During this seasons remember the needy in your prayers. Also let the love of God radiate from you to them.

God's favorite Part 2

Proverbs 14:31 says He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

If only world leaders know how much God loves the poor and the needy ,they would do all in their powers to formulate policies that cater for the poor and needy in our societies today.War will be the last option because those who suffer from war most are the poor who can not protect themselves.

God loves the poor and needy. Proverbs 19:17 says He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,and  He will pay back what he has given.According to Ezekiel 16:48-49 , one of the reasons why God destroyed Sodom was because of how they treated the poor and needy in their midst.Psalm 72:12 says For He will deliver the needy when He cries,the poor also and him who has no helper.

Everything we have came from God.John 3:27 says everything we have is a gift from God.According to Ephesians 2:8, the gifts we receive from God are a function of grace. Everything we have came as a result of grace and mercy.

Why do we have to give to the poor ? According to Deuteronomy 15:11 ,it is a command from God.Secondly , so that when we cry to God He will hear us-Proverbs 21:13.Thirdly,it brings happiness -Proverbs 14:21.Fourthly ,those who give to the poor will lack nothing-Proverbs 28:27.To crown it up God has promised to bless the work of all those cater for the poor -Deuteronomy 24:19

ACTION POINT: Look for someone in need today and bless them.