Walk Of Life – Day 14, April 2021 – Thoughts From the Book Of Proverbs – DON’Ts

DO NOT DESPISE THE POOR

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.  Proverbs 14:31 NLT

But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me. 1 Samuel 2:3

How can we honor God?  Most of you may be thinking of going to church, attending meetings, going to church before time, paying tithes regularly, and so on.  These are outward gestures of honoring God.  God is a righteous judge, who judges our motives and heart and not just the outward appearance.  If we try to deceive or manipulate God by doing many things outwardly without a true repentant heart, be sure that we are deceiving ourselves.

The Lord is the maker of Heaven and Earth and so everything in it including the rich and the poor.  Though they help the poor, many look down on on them; their own brother or a sister who is poor may be despised.  The Lord Jesus out of His infinite wisdom commanded Love your neighbor as yourself.  Before going to the neighbor next to us let’s examine if we are loving our own family members as our own?  Are you despising your brother or your neighbor just because he/she is poor looking down on them? Thinking low about them, despising them in your heart?  Taking them for granted?  Beware brethren, that God is their maker and when you insult the poor, you are insulting the Maker.  The Lord is mighty on their behalf, every haughty word spoken against them the Lord had heard.

Those who help the poor heartily honors the Lord,  and God is going to reward them surely.  You do not have to go to slum areas to help the poor.  Your own family members or a church member who is poor not just in terms of money but in any other area, they may be suffering from any kind of ailments, health issues, low in IQ, or have poor faith than you, whatever be his condition, try to help him/her and do not despise them as it honors God who created them.

And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. 2 Sam 6:16 NIV  Michal despised David (though He honored God in His own way) in her heart and she was barren all her life.  What is the reason for barrenness in your life, have you despised your husband/wife?  have you despised your church member because they have less faith than you?  God is not pleased. Do not despise, pray for them your prayer might change them or may make you more patient and loving to accept them.

Ultimately the Lord should not despise us or our offering like He despised the offering of Cain and cursed him for his sin. Cain was out of God’s presence and became a wanderer without a home. Gen 4:5  but he did not accept Cain and his gift. God looked at Cain and Abel’s heart and the way they offered and chose the gift of Abel, the heart that enabled him choose the best for the Lord.

Let us ask God. Dear Lord Jesus,  please show me whom to help, whom have I despised or looked down.  I am determined to honor you not just outwardly but from deep within my heart.  Please forgive me and accept me.  Help me to honor you in spirit and in truth!