Bread

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

BREAD

Prov 22:9

9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

NIV

A generous person is one how has a generous heart. A generous heart sees the need through generous eyes. The Hebrew reads a bountiful eye shall be blessed. We first must be able to see the one in want, the person who indeed has a need. So often we see life through the lens of a mirror. That is we are usually focused on our own needs, whether they be material, mental or emotional. But here we are admonished to look outward, to be aware of those who have a need. This proverb is mainly focused on the need of food or bread or even the grain for making it. Although there is a great truth about feeding the poor, and perhaps we fall short all too often. But again we must first be able to see those who are in need. How do we see them? Where are they? Can we count on some someone else to point them out to us? Can we count on someone else to bring their need to our attention? Should we wait for a missionary to tell us of the poor conditions those he ministers to? Should we support some group that continually sends us mail advertising the need of a certain group they say they minister to. It would seem we cannot count on others as we are supposed to have the bountiful eyes, we should see the need. This implies we are to be able to see someone who has a need and then simply help meet it. It seems this is a one on one basis rather the being a part of a group supporting another group. Although we have examples of that within the early New Testament church. One church took up an offering to be sent to another church in need.

1 Cor 16:1-4

16:1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

NIV

It is a little strange those offerings were not used to feed the poor in the local area of Corinth. Why send it to the church in Jerusalem? But then at least this was giving to the needs of others. But another thought also has occurred to us. Jesus said he was the bread of life. He that eats of this bread will no longer hunger.

John 6:35

 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry , and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

NIV

If we are to give actual bread to the poor, they will remain poor and always be hungry for more bread. It is in essence developing a welfare state of the rich supporting the poor, continually giving them bread to eat. But do we have the bountiful eyes to see the poor in need of the bread of life? Our hearts are full of the joy of the Lord. Our hearts are filled to the brim with the blessings of God, for we have Jesus in our heart. We have eternal life. Do we see the need of the poor who live without those blessings, who live in the pains of life? Those who do not know Christ are indeed the poorest of all mankind and are in desperate need of the bread of life. Because we live such an abundant life in Christ, should we not see and give this bread to those in need?