\Week 9: Help the poor… Never oppress them

– He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor (Proverbs 14:31).

God cares for the poor and the disadvantaged in a very special way. Yes, the poor. The physically challenged. The orphans, widows, strangers, ethnic minorities. The prisoners. The sick. The oppressed. The afflicted. God cares for them very deeply and He wants you too, to care, and never take advantage of people that are in this situation.

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them, which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body (Hebrews 13:3).

The Bible says when you help the poor you honour the Lord. To honour the Lord is a great thing because He has promised to honour those who honour Him. Therefore, each time you help the poor you are sowing a seed of honour into your future (I Samuel 2:30).

As a child of God, we are not only supposed to help the poor, we are actually commanded by our Lord Jesus to take responsibility for the poor and the disadvantaged that are in our vicinity. That is the essence of the story of the Good Samaritan. It is a major issue for which we are going to be judged and rewarded on the last day (Matthew 25).

Some people oppress and afflict the poor, and take advantage of the disadvantaged. This is hardcore wickedness. The Bible says that people who do so insult their Maker. I never want to find myself in such a state.
Today I want to urge you to take two quality decisions:

• Never hurt the poor or oppress them.

• Go out of your way to help the poor or people in need of your help, as a spiritual discipline. Visit the sick. Comfort the widow. Help the orphans. Relieve those who face disaster. Visit the prisoners. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked.

Be compassionate as your Father in heaven is compassionate, and great shall be your reward in heaven.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:36).