Living Life by Design

I’ve read completely through the Bible several times with the book of Proverbs being one of my favorite. But as I read this passage this morning, it jumped off the page.

“Those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17).

What an extraordinary and wonderful promise. Although God is no person’s debtor, every time you do something kind for someone less fortunate, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you with interest. GOD WILL PAY YOU INTEREST!

Often, we see amazing blessings in the lives of those who spend their time ministering with the less fortunate, the poor, the homeless and those who need to be set free.

When a Christian has great material wealth, it is often seen as a sign of God’s blessing. When we give to the less fortunate, God pays us a dividend in the form of godly character – hard work, reliability, integrity and honesty – all are characteristics that often can lead to success and material prosperity. 

In the Old Testament, we read of King David and his great “treasures” (1 Chronicles 26:22). Contrast that with the Apostle Paul who, “…didn’t have enough to eat, he wore patched and threadbare clothes, we got doors slammed in his face, and had to pick up odd jobs anywhere he could to eke out a living” (1 Corinthians 4:10–12, MSG).

Both David and Paul were truly happy. Both were blessed beyond measure. And, both were used by God in mighty ways. So then, what should our attitude be to the poor? What about the rich? Is poverty a blessing or a curse? Are riches a blessing or a curse? Does the gospel promise prosperity?

Here’s the point…the promise: your particular station in life in not important. What is important is that when we strive to be kind to those less fortunate, when we share Christ with others, we are lending to the Lord and he will repay us with interest. What will the “interest” be? 

Far more than anything this world can offer…