Open Heart

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

OPEN HEART

Prov 19:17

17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

NIV

It would seem natural to see this as giving to the needy is the same as lending to the Lord. That is we should share our wealth with those in need. As  we have noticed before about how we approach those who stand on corners, or exit ramps with signs, this saying seems to support our handing over some of our resources to them. Yet there is something much deeper here, far more about our heart rather than our wallet. One of the more famous passages in scripture which is called the love chapter contains some interesting words.

1 Cor 13:3

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

NIV

This would imply we could empty our wallets on the poor and it would mean nothing at all, we would gain nothing, we would not be lending to the Lord. It is our heart attitude about the poor that matters. Do we actually have compassion on them? Do we not pass any judgement on them? Another verse we have used before but bears upon this concept.

James 1:4-5

 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

NIV

If God gives to us without finding fault, then our showing mercy and compassion on the poor without finding any fault in them, is then us demonstrating the heart of God. This does not mean we tell them we will pray for them and walk away. For we are also taught about not doing that. But if we are giving from our wallet without the compassion to match it, it means nothing. If we desire any rewards from the Lord then we need to have the heart of God. Sure giving from our wealth helps the poor and we should not withhold it from them. Yet we should be careful how we give. If we flash our wallets, that is make a big show of our giving, not only do we not gain anything, we actually lose something. Giving to the poor when done in compassion is also done in humility. It follows suit with the principle of not letting our right hand know what our left hand is doing. So let us see the poor among us, let us beware of them, involved with them on more than a material level. Let us show the love of God. Let our hearts be open.