Contributor: Dolapo Olaoye

INTRODUCTION:

Last week, we looked at receiving to give as a twist to the norm of giving to receive that we are usually used to. We learnt that God gives us much so that we can give away much! (2 Cor.9:11a) and that we receive because we need to give. We don’t give because we want to receive!

This week we will continue to look at giving; and this time, more specifically giving to the poor/needy.

1. THOSE IN NEED - JESUS IN DISGUISE 

Mathews 25:34-40 says:

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Notice here that Jesus said He was represented by the poor!

Also, in First Corinthians 10:31, the Apostle Paul wrote,

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

So, when you give to the poor, do it as unto the Lord. Goodwill bless that. When you tithe and give offerings to your church, do it as unto the Lord. God will bless that. When you give an offering personally to a minister or to anyone else, do it as unto the Lord. God will bless that.

2. THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT GOD HAS HUGE CONCERN FOR THE POOR 

The Bible is filled with verses clearly showing that God loves the poor and is offended when His children neglect them. See Proverbs 17:5; 19:17; 22:2, 9, 16, 22–23; 28:8; 29:7; 31:8–9

God's Word gives us insight into His heart for the poor and instructions on how we are to care for them. If we truly have faith in God, we must also share His concern for the poor.

3. BE IMITATORS OF CHRIST – DEALING WITH SELFISHNESS

Think about it. We have money to buy our favourite sweets, to go to movies, to spend on things, but when it comes to someone other than ourselves it becomes a problem. When it comes to others, selfishness kicks in. We are told to be imitators of Christ. Was Christ thinking only about Himself when He died on the cross?

If you were in need wouldn’t you want someone to help you? Instead of judging, ask yourself that question whenever you see the needy.

4. BENEFITS THE LORD’S PROMISE FOR CONSIDERING THE POOR 

Psalm 41:1-3 (KJV) says:

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

1. Deliverance from trouble: You will be delivered from troubles of all sorts. It could be something such as avoiding a car accident or delivered from some form of addiction. Or you could be delivered of troubles or problem before they even get to you.
2. Divine Preservation: The Lord Himself will protect you and keep you in good condition of health. Renewing your youth like the eagle. Yes, getting older is inevitable, but "ageing" isn't. Now, that is better than any product on the market to slow down ageing as you grow older.
3. Kept Alive: God has every reason to keep you alive if you continue to glorify Him in and with every facet of your life. But more especially when you consider the poor.
4. Blessings Here on Earth: Apart from the rewards and blessings in heaven, the Lord guarantees us blessings here on earth; giving us the good of the land.
5. Deliverance from Enemies: God will not allow you fall into the hands of your enemies; known and unknown but rather, He will rescue you from them.
6. Sustenance and restoration in times of Sickness: God himself will nurse you in sickness and restore you back to health.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, in all our giving; whether in church or outside the church; we don't have to respond to some sensationalized, goose-bump-raising offering or appeal to give productively and effectively into the Body of Christ or any other cause for that matter! Paul instructed us to give as we purpose in our hearts.

Sure, there may be occasions when we are led by the Spirit of God to support an individual or cause. We should obey the Spirit of God. But most of the time, we should be systematic in our giving.

We should support our local churches on purpose with our tithes. We should find ministries that are producing good results and purpose to sow faithfully into those ministries as well as support those we know who are less privileged.

Any giving may be profitable to the giver, and any giving may as well be unprofitable to the giver. What counts is that the giver does it as unto the Lord.

Parts of this study was culled from The Midas Touch by Kenneth E. Hagin