January 15, 2017 (Proverbs 19:17)

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done” (Proverbs 19:17). There is a circumstance where last week’s proverb has a distinctly different flavor. There are those greatly blessed with financial resources who utilize a great majority of their treasure not self-indulgently but rather to advance the kingdom of heaven including generous provision for the least fortunate in our midst. Such are often frequently rewarded even further, and in response are capable of even more humanitarian aid in the name of Jesus. Obviously the most significant reward such persons inherit consists of that which is stored up as treasures in heaven as foretold by the Lord Jesus Himself: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). The value placed by our Savior Jesus on ministering to the poor is emphasized in the parable of the sheep and goats found in chapter 25 of Matthew: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me….I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me” (35-36,40).