Convicting...

Watch the video, then reflect on what the Holy word of God says about the poor and needy. 

"And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, render true judgments, show kindness and mercy towards one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart." Zechariah 7:8-10

"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13

"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him." Proverbs 14:31

"She opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

"Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse."

 Proverbs 28:27

"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor." Proverbs 22:9

"Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and the needy." Proverbs 31:9

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him saying, ' Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly,I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For i was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Then they will also answer saying, 'Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And those will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Matthew 25: 35- 46

"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with treasure in the heaven that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:33-34

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one in fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place, ' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?" James 2:1-7

"But if anyone has the worlds goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth."

1John 3:17-18

"Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! ' For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or, who has given a gift to him that it might be repaid?' For from him and to him and through him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 11: 33- 36 and 12:1-2

And the list of scriptures could go on and on.

I ask myself often if I am caring for the sick or poor or oppressed. The answer is no. Not like I am called to as a believer in Christ. Are you?