Upper Loft Meditation - Proverbs 19

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” - Proverbs 19:17

In our journey of faith, a primary task for followers of Jesus is the discovery of the heart of God. Matthew 25 unveils a powerful truth that reflects the heart of God. How we respond to the needs, sufferings, and injustices cast upon the poor are actions God interprets as for His benefit. It pleases God that we seek out ways to be a blessing to the poor.

This Proverb is saying the same thing. Your actions of kindness, favor, and gracious giving to the poor, God interprets as being done for Him.

But, it is more than that. God does not consider this as a gift or offering you are giving to Him. It is a loan that He will repay. Jesus refers to this in the exhortation to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20).

This thought of loaning to God is not our idea. We would be happy to call our kindness to the poor a thank offering for all the mercy the Lord has shown us. But, God wants to take our acts of kindness and return it to us with His added blessing. God’s way is to see His love for you overflow in your acts of love to the poor.

Further reflection: What is gracious giving?

1. Gracious giving is generous. The gift goes beyond what is expected. It includes a surplus. It includes extra for an added need yet unseen. As the Good Samaritan said to the innkeeper about the injured man, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you” (Luke 10:35). Gracious giving is to give to meet the need and then some.
2. Gracious giving is done with good taste. All too often giving to those in need involves only the leftovers, that which you can no longer use. If giving to the poor is as if giving to the Lord, would we give to the Lord only our second and third best? Good taste should be defined from the recipient’s perspective. Do I know if my gift is good, fitting, and acceptable to the receiver of my gift?
3. Gracious giving is warm and from your heart. It is a gift you feel privileged to give, “not as one grudgingly given.” (2 Corinthians 9:5).
4. Gracious giving is propitious, a gift that turns the tide and leads to greater blessing. A gracious gift is part of a much greater gift that God is bestowing on the poor through your act of kindness.