Thought for the Day

Verse 27 - This verse clearly says that those who minister to the poor will not be in lack. Who are the poor that this scripture is talking about? Certainly, it is not referring to the lazy, as the scripture already talks about how to deal with that problem. The poor are those who are disadvantaged through troubles and circumstances beyond their control. Good examples would be neglected children, helpless people, displaced people, exploited people, victims of tragedies and natural disasters, those who have lost their jobs, the handicapped, those who live in an area of famine, etc. One of the things the Lord desires for His people to possess is a compassionate heart because that is the kind of heart that He has.

"If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth...For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land" (Deuteronomy 15:7-8,11).

One who graciously and generously gives of his own bread (or goods) to the poor, is the kind of person who will always be blessed. Paul encouraged people to support the weak and give to the poor. He both gave and received from others, as he was a minister of God, yet he said it was more blessed to give than to receive. "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:33-35).

Verse 28 - We saw the negative effects that wicked men coming to leadership have upon a country in Day 321. However, the opposite is true when the wicked perish and righteous men rule. It creates an environment in which righteousness multiplies. Righteous people will stand up and voice their concerns; they generate and support projects that create a healthy society. Righteous leadership has a positive influence on all of society. When there is an increase of good people in the land, the whole land is blessed because of it.