Proverbs 28:27

What do you think when you see a poor person in need? Your thoughts, words, and actions are very important to your future. God sees all three, and He will deal with you. The main reason you may not be poor is God’s kind mercy in your life, so show some kind mercy to those He did not bless as much as you. He is measuring your response.

What do you think when you see a poor person in need? “I don’t want to get involved.” “Someone else will take care of them.” “Their situation is none of my business.” “I don’t have enough money myself.” “I’ll help another time.” “They may be lazy freeloaders.” “I could become poor giving money away.” This kind of thinking will cause God to curse you with many troubles. If you want to prosper and be protected, then give to the poor.

You will not lose giving to the poor. You will gain! Do not think mathematically, because God operates supernaturally. This economic mystery is not taught in any business school, but it is a law of Bible economics. Despise or ignore it to your own peril and poverty. Giving to the poor is lending to the LORD, and He will certainly repay what you give (Pr 19:17; 22:9; 28:8; Deut 15:7-18; Ps 41:1-3; 112:1-10; Luke 6:26; Heb 6:10).

The LORD is involved financially and economically in the world. He makes men and nations either poor or rich (Pr 10:22; I Sam 2:7; Job 34:29; Ps 33:12-22; Is 10:5-19). He gives promotions (Ps 75:6-7). He grants witty inventions and wealth (Pr 8:12-21). Pagans cannot see or measure His work, so they reject the fact. But that is fine, for believers can then easily have the edge financially and spiritually over them (Pr 1:32; 28:11; Ec 7:18).

The LORD operates above accounting rules, budgets, and econometric models. It is a rule of Bible economics that you can get farther and faster ahead financially by throwing your money away. The rule is certain – it is simply your faith that is weak. Cast off the pagan mentality, and believe God. You can get ahead by throwing money away to the poor (Pr 11:24-28; 28:8; Eccl 11:1-6; Mal 3:8-12; Luke 6:38; II Cor 9:6-11). The rule is so powerful that a goal of working hard should be to have money to give away (Eph 4:28).

If you think prosperity comes by being financially conservative and frugal in matters of charity, you are on your way to the poor house. Your economic “prudence” will ruin you. The LORD is able to put holes in your bags to cause your wages to dribble away, if you are even a little miserly in an effort to hold on to your money (Pr 11:24-28; Hag 1:5-11). The rule is as certain as any other Bible truth. You have been told. Believe it! Do it!

The only poor that deserve charity and kindness are those that are poor by acts of God. If a person has been lazy, foolish, wasteful, or wicked, they do not deserve charity (Pr 18:9; 20:4; 21:20; 28:19; II Thes 3:10; Ps 139:21-22). This is hard for many to accept, because they have rejected Bible rules on all subjects. God does not tolerate sins of slothfulness, financial foolishness, or wasteful spending. Learn His wisdom for your wisdom.

The only charity the deserving poor should get are life’s necessities – food, clothing, shelter, and emergency medical treatment. Remember the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). God is not impressed by giving toys for tots, when there are real needs far greater than entertaining children who can entertain themselves just as easily without your toys. Bible charity is limited to real needs (Is 58:7; Ezek 18:7; Acts 2:45; 4:35; Jas 2:15-16).

God has promised much more, if you will consider the poor and give for his needs. God will bless you and your family for many generations (Is 58:3-12). Believe it! You can lay up a good foundation for the Day of Judgment and lay hold on eternal life by cheerful charity (I Tim 6:17-19; Is 32:8; Heb 6:10). Jesus Christ will provide His accounting of your giving before God as the evidence of your righteousness (Matt 10:42; 25:31-46).