Loving the Poor

March 11

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 14 – 16

Verse of the Day: Deuteronomy 15:11 – “For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land.”

Is God decreeing that some will always be poor? No, He is stating a fact – in this world, this life, there will be those who have less, much less, than others. God is here instructing us that we have the task, the challenge, the opportunity to lend aid and assistance to those who have less than us.

He will give the Israelites other instructions on how to accomplish this (methods of harvest, year of release, etc.) in their societal community. It has been said that God must really love the poor – He made so many of them. I believe He allows this so that we can show compassion and reach them with our love – His love.

Prayer: Today as I walk this part of the world, help me to see and respond to the needs of those I come in contact with. Amen.