Proverbs 21

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." (verse 13) This one is really deep and I think it is getting at a point that is deeper than just helping the poor. Yesterday in bible study we talked about how we traditionally help the poor; many times this is giving them handouts of food, money, or other goods. We examined this and it seems that it is really God's intention that in addition to helping them attain their basic needs, we also need to provide for their purpose in life by giving them something to work for. So this was the mindset that I had started with when I read this verse. Verse 13 does not give instruction on what to give to the poor or how to give it. For that matter, it doesn't say much about any exchange of food, money, job, etc. What it does talk about is if my "ears" or in this case I think it means "heart or spirit" is open to seeing and empathizing with their suffering. I think the nature of God is that He wants us to feel (by being led by the Spirit) and then have our feelings lead our actions rather than simply tell us what specifically to do. God holds the poor close, the scripture tells us this. It's easy to look past the poor and suffering, but it clearly says that if we look past, if we close our world to theirs, then God will close His to us. A bit scary!! So what does this mean to Susan and I? We both believe strongly in our giving of first fruits to the Lord. But it seems that just the check or the canned food is not as important as what he desires in both of our hearts. Susan and I need to be aware and diligent to take time to benefit the poor; to exercise what our "ears" are telling us. We get exposed to these opportunities often and probably don't act on them much to go out and serve the poor. As the song says, I pray for God to "break my (and our) heart for what breaks [His]". In this then, the spirit will convict me to go where He needs me. -Bob