Friday, January 29, 2010

January 29

Proverbs 29

"The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea." (Verse 7 in the Message)

Compassion often arises from knowing. When we have a personal connection with a person or situation, the more readily we respond to the need. When we don't have the personal connection we are more likely to justify why we should not help the person. That is one reason the personal connection becomes so important in working with the poor. I don't think God calls us to just write a check, but to share life with the poor. In sharing life with the poor, they can learn from us and we can learn from them. Both sides, the rich and the poor, have much to learn from each other.

1 comment:

  1. This reminds me of my question about what she learned to one of our members who went on one of the Kenya mission trips. Her response was, "I have what they need (money for food, housing, etc.) but they have what I want." She was speaking of their joy and faith. What an awesome lesson on what we CAN learn from the poor! I thank God that we have opportunities to be with the poor and learn from them through Feed Our Kids or in Kenya or wherever it might be!

    ReplyDelete