Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Prompt Repayment!

Prompt Repayment!

Reading: Proverbs 11:1-31

"It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy,

but those who are stingy will lose everything" (Prov 11:24)



The Indian Government categorizes people on the basis of what they "have." God does it on the basis of what we "give." If you give more than what you can, you belong to Forward Community. If you give just what you can, you belong to Backward Community. If you give less than what you can, you are from the Most Backward Community. Which community do you belong to?

To whom should I give? We must help anyone in need. Does not our Father make His sun rise on the evil as well as on the good, and send rain on the just and on the unjust? (Mt 5:45). Forty percent of Indians are below the poverty line. If you have one square meal a day, you are rich in this Country. No Christian can ever say he doesn't have enough to give. "Charity gives itself rich; covetousness hoards itself poor!"

How much to give? The Bible does not lay down a rule but it says, "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7). The context of this verse is helping the poor. Why don't we celebrate a Festival of Charity, to specially feed and clothe the poor? How exceedingly joyful it would be? May the forthcoming Christmas be celebrated like this!

The blessings on those who give to the poor are manifold. There is material blessing: "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given" (Prov 19:17). Then there's physical blessing: When you share your bread with the hungry and clothe the naked, "your healing shall spring forth speedily" (Isa 58:8). "Blessed is he who considers the poor...The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; He will sustain him on his sickbed" (Psa 41:1-3).

Also there's spiritual blessing: "He has given to the poor; His righteousness remains forever... Now may He...increase the fruits of your righteousness" (2 Cor 9:9,10). The angel told Cornelius, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God." This was he who received the Holy Spirit before the preacher finished his sermon or he was baptized! (Acts 10:4,44,47). Finally, there's eternal blessing. When we are rich in good works, ready to give and willing to share, we store up for ourselves "a good foundation for the time to come" (1 Tim 6:18,19).

Oh, to bring some golden gleams from the land where glory beams;

Blessing others day by day, scattering sunbeams by the way!

(E.E. Hewitt, 1851-1920)

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