As the last bud child on a family tree of modest farmers in Southwest Uganda, I was like a hidden seed among countless others: overlooked and insignificant. Whispers followed me like shadows: Gilbert is destined for obscurity. He will never rise above his circumstances. I once believed that if I lived in a place like the one I do now—the United States—that I would finally have everything I needed. But I was wrong.
Along my journey, I discovered a truth we rarely confront. When we hear “poor and needy,” we instinctively think of others, not ourselves. We assume that’s not us. But what if poverty is more than just a lack of material wealth? What if it runs deeper than we ever imagined?
This passage shifts our perspective, causing us to redefine poverty at a deeper level (Psalm 40:17). Poverty is not just financial. It can be spiritual, emotional, or relational. The psalmist, although a man after God’s own heart, acknowledged his deep need for God’s help. He recognized his dependence on God’s grace, provision, and rescue.
In today’s world, self-interest often takes center stage. We are encouraged to be independent, to build wealth, and to secure our futures. Sometimes, this mindset leads us to overlook our own neediness before God. We forget that, regardless of our bank account or social status, we are all spiritually needy.
At the same time, our self-focus can make us blind to the struggles of others. We may hesitate to help, thinking we have worked hard for what we have, or even dismiss the needy as lazy or someone else’s problem. But what if we recognized that everyone—ourselves included—is poor somehow? Wouldn’t that change how we respond to God and others?
Take a moment to reflect on your own areas of need. Where do you require God’s help? And will you also extend kindness to those you may have overlooked? Ask God to open your heart so you can see your own need for Him and then have compassion for others. A simple act of kindness can go a long way.
Gilbert Mfitundinda is a former Compassion International sponsored child who now dedicates his life to advocating for children in extreme poverty. A gifted and poignant communicator, he speaks passionately about the life-changing power of love, the struggles of vulnerable children, effective solutions to poverty, servant leadership, and transforming selfishness into selflessness. He is the co-founder and CEO of Love Restoration, an organization providing education, nutrition, and healthcare to children in Kisoro, Uganda. In addition to his advocacy work, Gilbert is a Systems Services Representative with IBM in Dallas, Texas. He is also the author of Life’s Lens and holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Uganda Christian University and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University in Pennsylvania.