The book of Proverbs is full of wonderful admonitions about giving to the less fortunate. Proverbs 22:9 says that a generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Blessed is he who is kind to the needy. (Prov 14:21) God is so concerned for the needs of the poor, that he will bless those who bless them. That’s amazing! If we want good gifts from God, we should bless the needy. It isn’t a little formula that opens the windows of heaven, it is a principle that says if we really want to be true disciples, we need to care for what God cares about, and become advocates to what He advocates.
One of the greatest ways to have your eyes opened to the needs of others, is to visit a third world country. For many people, a overseas trip is the first place where they really “see” the needs of others. As Americans, not often do we see extended bellies, and fly covered, open sores on little children roaming our streets, but it is a common sight in many underdeveloped countries. Once eyes are opened, it changes everything. If you are like me, you can hardly watch an infomercial about starving, diseased children without being overwhelmed with grief. Those images pull on your heart.
Once our eyes are opened, we then need to make the choice. A person of compassion is someone who opens his/her heart to the poor and extends his/her hands to the needy. A compassionate person has new priorities. God gives creative ideas (Proverbs calls them witty inventions) to people so they will have resources to prosper and be able to bless the less fortunate.
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