Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. – Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. – Proverbs 19:17 (KJV)
52 Proverbs in 52 Weeks – Week 19
This week’s theme: Stewardship
This is our fourth week on the theme of stewardship, and our verse for this week reinforces the importance God places on taking care of those in need. It’s clear from both Old and New Testament scriptures that God loves and cares for those who are poor, handicapped or disadvantaged…and He expects us, as good stewards of His resources, to do the same.
Recall in the book of Leviticus that God directed landowners to leave part of their crops for the poor to harvest and directed those with vineyards to leave fruit for “the needy and for the stranger” (NIV) (see Leviticus 19:9-10 & 23:22). Here in Proverbs 19:17, King Solomon took God’s message a step farther…writing that giving to those in need equates to lending to God Himself. What an amazing opportunity to serve our God.
Just in case the message wasn’t clear enough in the Old Testament, here’s what Jesus Himself said:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Then the righteous will answer him,
“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,
or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for
one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.” – Matthew 25: 35-40 (NIV)
There’s some debate about exactly who Jesus was referring to with the phrase “the least of these.” Some think He was referring to the poor and others in need. Others believe He was referring to His followers (this seems to be the majority view among Bible scholars; read more on this topic here). However, in the context of our theme for this week—stewardship—the exact meaning of “the least of these” is not important. Either way, Jesus saw kindness extended to people in need as kindness extended to Jesus Himself.
Helping others is a clear and consistent message throughout our Bible, so it’s no surprise that King Solomon, who was “greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (2 Chron 9:22), made taking care of the poor a prominent message in the book of Proverbs. As we strive to be good stewards of the resources God has provided, we must take that message to heart and look for ways to help those in need. What an opportunity!
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