DAY
6
HOW WE SHOULD TREAT THE POOR
OUR RESPONSE TO the poor should reflect God’s own concern for them. He has commanded us to care for those in need and to give justice to those who are afflicted. Rather than pursuing wealth and selfishly living for our own comfort, we are to give generously in light of how much God has given us. In short, we are to love all of our neighbors as ourselves.
If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother.
DEUTERONOMY 15:7
If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
1 JOHN 3:17
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
PSALM 82:3-4
Responding in Prayer
- Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you might gladly share your resources with those in need.
- Pray for the courage to speak up on behalf of the poor.
- Pray that God would use your church to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the poor in your community.