| One
of the most common excuses for not giving to the needy is: 'I had to
work hard for what I've got; so should they.' True, the Bible teaches
that if you're not willing to work you're not entitled to support (2
Thessalonians 3:10). But did you know: 1) Six million children under
five die every year of starvation? 2) One out of seven people goes to
bed hungry every night? 3) The three richest people on the planet have
more collective wealth than the combined gross national product of the
world's forty-eight poorest countries? General Booth, who founded the
Salvation Army, said, 'How can you convince a man of the love of God if
his feet are perishing with the cold?' If your prayers aren't being
answered, here's something to consider. The Israelites fasted and
prayed, then complained that God wasn't answering their prayers. That's
when He told them: 'This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the
chains of injustice...get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free
the oppressed, cancel debts...I'm interested in seeing you...sharing
your food with the hungry...putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn
on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will
pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then, when you
pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, "Here I
am"' (Isaiah 58:6-9 TM). When you care for the needy, the Lord promises
to 'deliver [you] in times of trouble' (Psalms 41:1 NKJV)--and you can
take that to the bank. |
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