READ: Deuteronomy 15 (Focus vs. 7-11)
MEMORY VERSE
“Give generously to [the needy] . . . and do so without a grudging heart.”
BACKGROUND
“Why are you crying?”
The question was asked by a volunteer for a Christian relief ministry helping those whose homes had been destroyed by Hurricane Helene. The woman (who had burst into tears in the previous moment) replied, “I’m not crying because I lost everything. I’m crying because love just showed up.”
God’s heart shows itself in His desire that we help those in need.
When Moses gave the people of Israel God’s instructions before they entered the land He’d promised them, he told them, “Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted” toward the poor. “Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
Their hearts toward the poor were to reflect God’s own: “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart” (15:10).
Whether in disastrous situations or everyday life, when we give to those in need out of the blessings God has kindly given us, we make evident the love of His Son, who came “to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18).
In fact, God promises He “will bless” those who share His unselfishness with others (Deuteronomy 15:10), both in this life and the next (see Luke 14:14).
We can’t see God yet, but others may catch a glimpse of Him when we emulate His compassion for them. May His love show up as kindness through us today.
James Banks
INSIGHT
As the Israelites prepared to enter the promised-land, they were to demonstrate God’s love by giving “generously to [the needy]” (Deuteronomy 15:10).
Today, believers in Jesus also have the honor of making God and His love visible to the world by loving others. “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12 nlt).
God demonstrated His love for us in the person and work of Christ: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (3:16). But loving others has a price tag. It may involve giving time, money, or material goods.
The key word is giving: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). And as we do, others can see God’s love and compassion through us.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
How has God shown you kindness when you were in need? How might you show Jesus’ love to someone in need today?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God’s heart shows itself in His desire that we help those in need…believers in Jesus…have the honor of making God and His love visible to the world by loving others.”
PR’s TAKE
“We can’t see God yet, but others may catch a glimpse of Him when we emulate His compassion for them.” Today’s Post
“Sometimes it’s easy to lose faith in people, And (oftentimes) one act of kindness is all it takes to give you hope again.” Randah Fattah
PRAYER
“Merciful, generous Father, please help me give to others with an open heart, so that they may see Your love in me.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GIVE TO THE LORD” Ron Kenoly
Give and it will come back to you
Good measure pressed down
Shaken together and running over
Give and it will come back to you
When you give, give to the Lord
Give in love, give in faith
Give the joy and the smile on your face
Give as the Lord has given to you
How you give is a reflection of your gratitude
From your heart, give your best
Give unto God and you will be blessed
Don’t be stingy and don’t be tight
Learn from the widow in the Bible
Who gave her last dime
Give and it will come back to you
Good measure pressed down
Shaken together and running over
Give and it will come back to you
When you give, give to the Lord
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People rob God
When they don’t give tithes and offerings
And they don’t understand
Why they’ve been cut off from heavenly blessings
But abundant life
And prosperity begins
When you prove your love to God by giving to Him
