Signs And Wonders Should Be According To Biblical Pattern

For taking your time to study remain blessed. GIVING TO THE POOR AND NEEDY WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8 TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11 Key verse: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will He pay him again” Proverbs 19:17. God is compassionate and caring. In His commandment to Israel, He made sufficient provision for the poor and needy among them. He Exhorted the Israelites to be compassionate to the poor and to open their hand wide to them. Under the ministry of Jesus the disciples witnessed compassionate care for the poor by the Lord Jesus Christ. The scriptures reveal this. Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, AND GIVE TO THE POOR, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. Matthew 26:9, For this ointment might have been sold for much, AND GIVEN TO THE POOR. Helping the poor and needy was part of apostolic focus and exhortation to believers in the early church. Galatians 2:10. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. The following reasons account for the presence of the poor among us. {i} Body infirmity, such as deformity, sickness, etc. {ii} Natural disaster, such as floods, earthquake, etc. {iii} Accidents of life, such as fire outbreak, etc. {v} Thefts {vi} unemployment. {vii} widowhood {viii} Sin, laziness etc. Believers have responsibility towards the poor and needy. We must remember that they are creatures of God with eternal souls. Their condition may affect their response to the gospel and continuity in it. The devil takes advantage of their state to tell them God does not exist, God hates them, and God cannot help them. The poor among us need love, care and friendliness. Always have a plan of assisting them, do not turn your eyes off those urchins, derelicts, needy and beggars around you and on the streets. They need assistance, recognition, honour, prayers and visitation. They need to be evangelized, to be exhorted to faith, righteousness and holiness. They need comfort and encouragement. Through our practical love and care for them many of them will find the Lord and shall inherit eternal life. Thought for the day: We are exhorted to be compassionate and to open our hands wide to the poor. Song for the day: Lord I want to be like Jesus in my heart (x2), in my heart (v4)… Bible reading for the day: Leviticus 4-6; Matthew 25:1-30 #horemow.