Proverbs 19:17

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about generosity: 

Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will repay him for his deed.

Christ instructed us to give to the poor in secret and without much fanfare. If we do our giving in this manner He says God will reward us (Matthew 6:1-4). Perhaps when Jesus said these words He was thinking of this proverb from Solomon. The act of giving to the poor is actually an act of “lending” to God, the Father. We should not think that giving to someone in need it all about that person. God brings those situation across our paths in life to give us an opportunity to give to Him. In so doing, He will see it and reward us for it. The reward may not always be in this life (although it often is), but He will reward us. The next time you have a chance to help someone in need, think about this proverb and Christ’s words in Matthew. Lend to the Lord!

The proverb captures the heart of God.   When we understand the compassion and lovingkindness of God we have come to the point of knowing Him.   God is a God who created an entire plan to show His deep compassion.   His Son's death on the cross to save those who put Him there is the lynchpin of His compassion.   For us not to understand that compassion, embrace it and allow it to flow through us is totally to miss the point of God's plan and character.   We get so caught up with our way to worship and the excitement of our worship and SINGING about His great love, that we often forget about displaying His great love.  The above proverb tells us to show God's love by caring for the poor.   God made the poor.  He made the poor for His glory.  He made the poor so that we can demonstrate His great love through our giving to them.   When we give to them, we are not giving to them ... we are "lending to The Lord."  God sees those to give to the poor and He rewards them for it.  They do not give to the poor so that they would be rewarded.  They give to the poor because God told them to and because it demonstrates God's love through them.   IF we want mercy and grace we have to give mercy and grace.   This proverb is about demonstrating to others who God is and how He lives through us and in us.