The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director. Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year. God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
"Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble." Psalm 41:1 (NLT)
On Sunday, the Lord led me to read Psalm 41 for some reason. I mean, I literally woke up at 6 am, knowing I had to turn there. I did and the first verse got my attention. I got excited! I said, "yep, yep Lord, that's me! So I know you are going to rescue me! You specifically promised it in Your Word! Yippee!! I'm fixing to get rescued!"
I've always been kind to the poor. Always. My whole life. I can say that with all confidence...I have never looked down upon anyone that is poor -- EVER. If I can possibly help in some way, I do...sometimes to my husband's chagrin.
It's not that Larry isn't compassionate. It's just that he gets upset with me at times for giving things out the window to people when we are in the car. He thinks they will just throw it away or squander it. I have given Hillsong worship CD's to prostitutes on the street. He thinks they will just throw them in a dumpster. But I don't care even if they do. I get joy and hope just by giving. When in the car with the kids (without Larry) I've sometimes handed a few dollars out the window to a homeless person holding a sign, and I usually say to the kids, "keep this between us...don't tell your Dad." (lol) Of course I know they are always going to tell him...we don't really keep secrets, but I know I'm going to get a lecture when I get home.
My view of it is -- if I feel led of the spirit to give something, I got a blessing from it no matter anyone else does with it! When the kids tattletale and Larry gives me a lecture I just tell him I gave it out of my birthday money and I can do whatever I want with my birthday money and don't have to get him to agree on it. He shakes his head at me and walks away frustrated just like he has often been with me in the last 21 years. (SMILE) So when I read Psalm 41 on Sunday I got excited. Because it says that the Lord rescues people who are kind to the poor. So I know that means I'm DEFINITELY in line to get rescued by God!
Yesterday we had an interesting experience. We went to video some stuff for church and we did it right after lunch. Larry ate his sandwich but not his greek salad so he had it boxed to take home. We were coming out of the place and walking down the street and a man saw Larry's box and walked right up and said he was hungry, and asked if could he have what was in the box. Larry said, "sure" and handed it to him. The man said, "sir, do you have a fork?" and Larry said, "I'm sorry, I don't." I thought the man was just going to pick up the salad and eat it with his hands, but instead he walked across the street to a garbage can and dug down in there and pulled a dirty plastic fork out. I was sick at the thought. Just as he was getting ready to stab it into the salad, I said, "Sir! Please DO NOT do that. I will get you a fork somehow."
We were already down the street from where we ate but I went into a place we were standing in front of and asked for a fork. The server I spoke to said, "um, it'll cost you $5." I said, "whatever. I'll pay for it." Then he followed it up with, "alright, I'm just kidding." He not only gave me a fork but a napkin to go with it. I was so glad to be able to give it to the man. It would have made me heartsick to see him eat with that fork from the dumpster. Yes, I know he probably does it all the time, but this was one day he didn't have to. I felt like the person in the famous poem who rescued one starfish. They were asked, "why are you doing that when there are countless others that you can't possibly help?" The person responded that for that one it made a difference.
The man stood there while we shot the video. Larry was talking and when we finished taping the man said, "do you know who you sound just like? You sound just like the preacher at Relevant Church!" I said, "oh, that's interesting, we happen to know the pastor there..." and he said, "Really?" and I said, "yes, do you go there?" and he said, "yes I do." I said, "awesome, please keep going. It's a great church."
I was happy to find out, Relevant ministers to more than just 20 and 30 somethings, but just like us they also reach out to the poor.
We should always be kind to the poor even if there's nothing extra in it for us, but isn't it interesting that God has promises in His Word specifically for those who are kind to the poor?
Comments
"We are ALL valuable to God because we are his chosen people. This fact alone makes loving others praiseworthy! Mistreating the poor, strangers or even our enemies is an insult to God."
PROVERBS 14:31
" He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy."
It is easy for us to walk past the poor and ignore their need but that is not what God requires of us...
Have a great Labor weekend....
Laurie