Lending to God
Proverbs 19:17 says that "he who gives to the poor, lends to the Lord." Can you imagine lending to the Creator of the universe? That word, lend, actually means to join with. When you give to the poor, you are partnering with God by offering Him your resources. When you help those who are less fortunate, you are helping Him fulfill His mission on the Earth. Through your giving, you become the hands and feet of Jesus and are able to accomplish great things for God. Not only that, but when God pays you back, it won't be the same as you have given. It will be pressed down, shaken together and running over! We serve a God of abundance, and He will reward you!
Did you know that God cares so much about meeting the needs of His people that He actually considers the needs of the poor His own personal needs? In Matthew 25:34, Jesus says that when we feed the hungry, we are feeding Him. When we clothe those in need, we are clothing Him. When we care for the sick, we are caring for Him. When we visit and minister to those in prison, we are ministering to Him. In verse 40 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me." In other words, when we meet the needs of others, we are meeting the needs of Jesus!
Jesus made His mission very clear while He was on the Earth. He wants us to reach out to those around us, but we shouldn't stop there. Something supernatural happens when we reach out to those in other countries, too. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commanded His disciples, "Go into all the world and make disciples…" When we reach out and spread the Good News of the Gospel all over the world-- through missions, books, television and radio—we are fulfilling God's mission. Remember, when you partner with this ministry, we are doing this work for God together!
Today, I just want to encourage you to keep reaching out to the people around you. As we enter in to the season of giving, let your light shine before others so that they will glorify your Father in heaven. Keep your heart sensitive to His leading and give when He prompts you in your heart. Remember, we are stronger together, and together we are the hands and feet of Jesus! Thank you for doing your part, thank you for joining with us, and thank you for lending to the Lord!
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, NIV).
Did you know that God cares so much about meeting the needs of His people that He actually considers the needs of the poor His own personal needs? In Matthew 25:34, Jesus says that when we feed the hungry, we are feeding Him. When we clothe those in need, we are clothing Him. When we care for the sick, we are caring for Him. When we visit and minister to those in prison, we are ministering to Him. In verse 40 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me." In other words, when we meet the needs of others, we are meeting the needs of Jesus!
Jesus made His mission very clear while He was on the Earth. He wants us to reach out to those around us, but we shouldn't stop there. Something supernatural happens when we reach out to those in other countries, too. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commanded His disciples, "Go into all the world and make disciples…" When we reach out and spread the Good News of the Gospel all over the world-- through missions, books, television and radio—we are fulfilling God's mission. Remember, when you partner with this ministry, we are doing this work for God together!
Today, I just want to encourage you to keep reaching out to the people around you. As we enter in to the season of giving, let your light shine before others so that they will glorify your Father in heaven. Keep your heart sensitive to His leading and give when He prompts you in your heart. Remember, we are stronger together, and together we are the hands and feet of Jesus! Thank you for doing your part, thank you for joining with us, and thank you for lending to the Lord!
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, NIV).