There will always be poor people in the land. Deuteronomy 15: 11 NIV
They’ve been here all along. From the days of old to the twenty-first century, the poor remain among us. In Bible days, the destitute could be found on the streets and by the city gate, hands extended as they begged for a handout. Beggars of today aren’t gathered in the street pleading for alms as in Bible days, but you will find them at road intersections, on city streets, or at entrance ramps to major highways expressing their situations on torn pieces of cardboard. Roughly scrawled words such as Will Work for Food or Out of Work depict desperate words for desperate times.
The word beggar means someone who begs for money or food from strangers, or a very poor person.
Other disadvantaged people in today’s society, although sometimes visual, are often ignored, or may go unnoticed. And because of our busyness, it’s easy to be insensitive to the needs of others. But Jesus desires consideration and generosity toward those who are deprived. Donating alms (money) to the desperate, can also provide an amazing opportunity to address their starving spirit. Compassion through action from you will illustrate the love of Christ to them.
The common denominator in all this is found in 2 Samuel. May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.
My desire is to be sensitive and kindhearted to those who are truly in need. If that means stepping out of my comfort zone to help someone, then it’s worth the effort to do so. For when I’m kind to others, God will be pleased with me.
Won’t you step out too?
Phoebe Leggett is the recipient of two poetry awards from Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in Slate & Style, Shemom, MS Focus, Who’s DANN, MS Connection, Pacific Press, and Gospel Publishing House. Several of her poems have been read on air at WORD Radio. Her current project is developing a book on grief. She is married with three grown children, (one of whom was killed in 2004), two felines, and one grandchild. Her new website is under construction and will be available at a later date.
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