Proverbs 19:17

Scripture: 

Proverbs 19:17 - “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.” (NASB)

Observation:

It is the call no one really wants to get. It seems each time we sit down for dinner, the phone rings. On the other end is some type of telemarketer trying to sell this or that calling for a financial donation or maybe to vote for a certain individual running in the next election. So we decided to start screening our calls, letting the machine get it, and calling the 1-800 number to take our number off the list. One night we got a call from a local agency that helps disabled Veterans asking for donations of clothing, household items, etc. and I got to think of how that agency, despite helping others, must have to work twice as hard to get donations because of everyone blocking their calls. We do leave bags of clothing out on the porch for them to pick up. There is always something we can give. Some way we can bless someone else. It is what today’s scripture is all about - gracious to a poor man. Maybe we need to rethink how we answer the phone. That it just may be God calling.

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love. 

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York.