Today my heart is heavy for the poor of this world. I am not only referring to the poor in foreign countries but also right here at home. I am talking about the single mother trying to make ends meet to the families that are walking out the doors of their homes holding their belongings, only to turn the key for the last time as their homes are now bank owned. There are so many truly in need that it can feel a bit overwhelming. To me the need always looks so big and beyond anything that I could possiby do to help. Sometimes I look the other way hoping that someone else much better off will do something. Do you do that too or am I the only one? Sometimes I wonder how I could possibly meet someone's need when I have so many of my own. At times I think that we are too busy, consumed with self and what's going on in our own little corner of the world, that we don't take the time to consider others.
Let's go back to that single mother attempting to live on one income. Has it ever crossed your mind to pay for her groceries or fill her tank with gasoline? Or maybe since school is starting in a few days, buy the backpacks for her children and fill them with back to school supplies? If you are a parent, you know what a blessing that would be! And then there are those families that have lost their homes. What could you possibly do about that? Maybe you are an empty nester that currently has a couple of vacant bedrooms that could be a welcome refuge for a few months while they save money to get a new place to live. Ah, but that would require sacrifice wouldn't it?
I started thinking about this the other day; if the whole world is turning their head the other way hoping that someone else will meet the need, what happens? The bible tells us that the poor will always be with us. "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 15:11 Well, there it is! We are commanded to meet needs. We can never solve world hunger, but we can all do something for someone. If we truly have the heart of a giver, God will show us what to do. I pray that my blog today will inspire you to ask God to show you one way each day that you can help another person.
"The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all." Proverbs 22:2