Be Kind to the Poor

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“HE WHO IS KIND TO THE POOR LENDS TO THE LORD.” PROVERBS 19:17

Hudson Taylor, the man who helped to open China to the gospel tells his own story regarding this scripture.  He was visiting with a poor family who had no food, and Hudson had a half crown in his pocket.  As he began to pray for the family, he felt that his prayers were empty.  He kept praying, but felt hypocritical because he could become part of the answer to his own prayer, even though he would have no money with which to buy food for himself.  The God-pressure became so strong that he could not resist.  He reached into his pocket, took out the half crown, and laid it on the table.

Making his way home, he says that his heart felt as light as his pocket.

Before he retired for the night, he quoted back to the Lord his own words from this proverb, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.”

“Lord, please do not make this loan a long one,” he prayed, as he reminded the Lord that he only had a small portion of food for breakfast.

The next morning a messenger came as he was enjoying his last simple meal.  A small envelope was delivered to his door.  In the envelope was four times as much as Hudson had given away the day before plus a brand new pair of leather gloves.

Hudson said he learned then and there to put his money into the banks of heaven. They pay much greater interest than any earthly bank.

Be kind to the poor.

Blessings,

Don Finto

 

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Excel in this grace of giving!

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“Excel in this grace of giving!”

2 Corinthians 8:7

“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” “A generous man will himself be blessed.” “A generous person will prosper.” “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.”

“Command those who are rich… to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. … see that you excel in this grace of giving.”

Come under the fullness of God’s blessings! Give something away today! Let generosity become a part of your every day! Think outside yourself!

Blessings,

Don Finto

1) 2 Corinthians 9:6

2) Proverbs 22:9

3)  Proverbs 11:25

4) Psalm 112:5

5) 2 Corinthians 9:11

6) Psalm 37:26

7) 1 Timothy 6:17-19

8) 2 Corinthians 8:2-7