– Galatians 6:2 (ESV)įor there will never cease to be poor in the land. – Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)īear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,Īnd he will repay him for his deed. What are some ways to extend your hand to the needy? There are dozens, maybe hundreds of verses which point to the importance of helping others. God commands us, however, to help others and to love our neighbors. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our own lives and problems that focus just on what needs to get accomplished for our homes and families. Her helping may involve physical giving – food, clothing, other goods, or it may include giving spiritual food to those who are poor in spirit, spiritually poor and needy, and who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Her charity does not end with a kind word or a promise to pray for others it’s more than a passive activity. She is sharing the fruits of her labor with those in need. But she goes out of her way to touch the lives of others. Perhaps she is assisting them with food or an invite to pick them up for church. Maybe she is teaching them a skill or praying with them. I believe that may be what this Proverbs 31:20 woman is doing is lifting others up, not just financially but in practical ways. When you extend your hand to another, you are reaching out and lifting them up. Proverbs 19:17 tells us that “whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord” Proverbs 22:9 shares, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” Proverbs 22:9 Maybe she is donating some of her personal belongings to the needy. Maybe she is coordinating a coat drive or toiletry drive. Perhaps she is giving them food or monetary donations. She is generous and “opens her arms to the poor” or less fortunate. She goes out of her way to volunteer and to serve others. She is not passive in extending her hands to the needy. It shows that she is doing things that require action. What I love about Proverbs 31:20 is the term “extend,” “stretch,” and “reach out.” She knows that loving others is in the action, not the words or thoughts. Tomorrow I will give it”-when you have it with you. She may pray for others, but she is also diligent and takes action.ĭo not withhold good from those to whom it is due,ĭo not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, Of course, her priority is to ensure that her husband, children, and home are cared for, but this wife of noble character also has a heart to serve others in need. She is not holding on tightly to what is rightfully hers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. In my post on Hands in the Bible, I shared about using our hands to hold on to things: our time, our money, our love. Proverbs 14:31 reveals that those who oppress the poor are sinners. Proverbs 19:17 shares, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 22:9 states, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” Proverbs 28:27 tells us that whoever gives to the poor will not want. Proverbs 28:27 says, “Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” Proverbs 14:31 tells us that whoever oppresses the poor is a sinner.
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