"The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he."
Proverbs 14:20-21
Good reminders that the Lord is concerned for the poor, that he wants us to love them and help them rather than ignoring or despising them. We don't usually want to think of ourselves as haters, but sometimes we veer away from people who we think will ask us for money, or we blame people for their own financial problems. Those are expressions of judgement and pretty extreme dislike, even if we don't want to go all the way to despise. :)
Today, let's remember that we are all in need when we go to the Lord. None of us has enough without his mercy. That's why King Mosiah asked "are we not all beggars?" (Mosiah 4:19). And since we are already dependent on the Lord, let's do as he asks, and share the goodness and bounty that he blesses us with individually. We don't know the circumstances of others... and does it even matter? Does God ask us only to have mercy on the deserving poor, or only to help the needy who didn't dig themselves into their own hole? Is that the way that God treats *us*? I think not, or we would all stand condemned. Let's reach out and help, dismissing all of the reasons we come up with as to why we shouldn't, or won't. Let's bless as we desire to be blessed, without judgement and with kindness and sincerity.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he."
Proverbs 14:20-21
Good reminders that the Lord is concerned for the poor, that he wants us to love them and help them rather than ignoring or despising them. We don't usually want to think of ourselves as haters, but sometimes we veer away from people who we think will ask us for money, or we blame people for their own financial problems. Those are expressions of judgement and pretty extreme dislike, even if we don't want to go all the way to despise. :)
Today, let's remember that we are all in need when we go to the Lord. None of us has enough without his mercy. That's why King Mosiah asked "are we not all beggars?" (Mosiah 4:19). And since we are already dependent on the Lord, let's do as he asks, and share the goodness and bounty that he blesses us with individually. We don't know the circumstances of others... and does it even matter? Does God ask us only to have mercy on the deserving poor, or only to help the needy who didn't dig themselves into their own hole? Is that the way that God treats *us*? I think not, or we would all stand condemned. Let's reach out and help, dismissing all of the reasons we come up with as to why we shouldn't, or won't. Let's bless as we desire to be blessed, without judgement and with kindness and sincerity.
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