Editiorial Note: I have been on vacation in rural Missouri and literally had no internet access. So this blog has been on haitus. I am back with this entry...
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 14:21
I know that I will answer for the way in which I have responded to this truth. I live in a fairly affluent community. Many of the people around me are more worried about giving up a Cancun vacation due to high gasoline prices than they are about the need of the poor who live less than thirty minutes from their door. Self-obsession in the hallmark of middle class values. Even popular charities are more self-obsessed. I recently saw a commercial by Johnson and Johnson in which the chairman of the company bragged on how energy efficient and "green" his product production was. The clincher: You can feel good about buying our products. So doing something good for the earth makes me feel good. Is that the best reason to do anything?
I am reminded in this passage that charity to the poor is the mark of righteous living, not feel good religion. I should not help someone to get a good feeling. I should do it because it IS the right thing to do. Yes, God does promise blessing, but that may not come through feelings. Honestly, to travel to a slum or housing project is not the kind of thing that feels good. To serve someone in such situations does not feel good. But to do the right thing out of love for the Lord is reward enough.
I have missionary friends who have served in some of the most impoverished, hardened societies on the planet. And the sheer difficulty of living in third world conditions took its toll on them mentally, spiritually, and physically. But they do not regret what was done in service to God for those in great need. I do not think they felt good while in sub-Saharan Africa, or desert Central Asia. But they knew they were obeying the God Who commands us not to despise our poor neighbor, even if they live in deplorable conditions and are in a difficult culture.
Lord, Give me this persective and help me to lead my ministry to be generous to neighbors in need. Amen
Editiorial Note: I have been on vacation in rural Missouri and literally had no internet access. So this blog has been on haitus. I am back with this entry...
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 14:21
I know that I will answer for the way in which I have responded to this truth. I live in a fairly affluent community. Many of the people around me are more worried about giving up a Cancun vacation due to high gasoline prices than they are about the need of the poor who live less than thirty minutes from their door. Self-obsession in the hallmark of middle class values. Even popular charities are more self-obsessed. I recently saw a commercial by Johnson and Johnson in which the chairman of the company bragged on how energy efficient and "green" his product production was. The clincher: You can feel good about buying our products. So doing something good for the earth makes me feel good. Is that the best reason to do anything?
I am reminded in this passage that charity to the poor is the mark of righteous living, not feel good religion. I should not help someone to get a good feeling. I should do it because it IS the right thing to do. Yes, God does promise blessing, but that may not come through feelings. Honestly, to travel to a slum or housing project is not the kind of thing that feels good. To serve someone in such situations does not feel good. But to do the right thing out of love for the Lord is reward enough.
I have missionary friends who have served in some of the most impoverished, hardened societies on the planet. And the sheer difficulty of living in third world conditions took its toll on them mentally, spiritually, and physically. But they do not regret what was done in service to God for those in great need. I do not think they felt good while in sub-Saharan Africa, or desert Central Asia. But they knew they were obeying the God Who commands us not to despise our poor neighbor, even if they live in deplorable conditions and are in a difficult culture.
Lord, Give me this persective and help me to lead my ministry to be generous to neighbors in need. Amen
