RTW 2022

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and He will repay you!
Proverbs 19:17

I love how these verses, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament hold hands.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
Proverbs 18:13

Poor: not just financially destitute, but reduced, weak, helpless

When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord—and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!
Proverbs 19:17 (TLB)

More from the NLT about the poor:

• It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
  Proverbs 14:21
  How am I sinning?

• Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
  Proverbs 14:31
  Do I actively insult my Maker?

• Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
  Proverbs 21:13
  Are my eyes open or closed to see the needs of the poor?

• Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
  Proverbs 28:27
  Same questions: Are my eyes open or closed to the poor?

Don’t give to get; give and trust.

About God’s abiding love

When I withhold from a brother in need, I demonstrate the degree to which God’s love abides in me.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
1 John 3:17

Great Quotes

• “What a word is this! God makes himself debtor for everything that is given to the poor! Who would not advance much upon such credit? God will pay it again. And in no case has he ever forfeited his word.” – Adam Clarke
• “This promise of reward does not necessarily signify that he will get his money back; the rewards in Proverbs involve life and prosperity in general.” – Allen Ross

John Piper on lending to God

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Lend to God and trust Him to repay in a way He sees fit. Don’t give to get, give and trust.