Lending to the Lord

Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”

The other day I passed by someone in need and I had a single bill in my pocket and I thought about giving it to that person in need. However, I reasoned internally that I had plans for that money later and I did not offer to help them despite knowing I should. Then when I spent the money about an hour later on worthless stuff, the pain of conviction stunt my heart so much I could have cried. I went to be alone and pray for forgiveness because I was not wise with my money, I was not generous, and when I felt the urge to help those in need, I did not stretch out my hand. How wretched of me.

Sometimes we might internally rationalize if people need our money or deserve it with silent judging by the state of their clothes, their location, their call for help, and so on. We might try to determine if they will use our money for substances or for good. We were not called to judge the poor, but to help them. By being kind to the poor is as if we were lending to the Lord. Would we dare refuse the Lord a small loan of money if He had need of it? No, but why would we refuse to help or give to the poor when we know they have need?

Open your heart to the Lord and be kind to others.