Today I read in James 1 v 27

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for the widows in their troubles and refuse to let the world corrupt us.

Many times in God’s word it is written that God is interested in his people looking after the poor and needy in our midst. One can’t say they have faith if he doesn’t show it by his actions. We can’t say God bless you to someone in need without giving them food if they are hungry or clothing if they have no covering.

We Christians can be busy fighting over doctrine and our differences. We can be so busy disagreeing that we become ineffective in living the way God wants us to.

““Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 22 v 16

Jeremiah rebuked Jehoiakim for living in affluence. This son of Josiah would have seen how his father repented and brought revival to the people of Israel by teaching them the ways of God. Josiah looked after the poor and needy. He was not busy acquiring wealth but he was seeking to please God first. But the son disregarded how his father lived. Judgement came on the son.

Looking after the poor and needy can save your life.
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭41:1, 3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We had a friend who was kind to the poor in the town in which we lived. He was in distress when his father was dying of cancer. He could not face life without his father. He took poison to kill himself. Some of his friends prayed for him and he was completely healed with no side effects and was restored to life.

Today think about how you can be kind to someone in need. Don’t avoid the poor you come across.
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