Verse of the Day - Proverbs 29:28

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. ~ Proverbs 29:28 (NIV)

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When people invest money, they're usually looking for the highest yield. They compare interest rates, or the trends on particular stocks, so that they make the most money on their investments. Lots of people spend lots of time making lots of money like this -- whole careers are built on doing this job for other people! They make alot of money by making alot of money for others.

Not too many of these people, though, are investing in The Bank of The Poor (not a member of the FDIC). That's just not "good business", financiers say. Where's the return?, they ask. Doesn't make sense, they conclude. The poor have nothing to offer in return. Their yield is nil. The interest is none.

Ah, but not so. There is interest, but not the kind that has a % behind it. It's the interest -- the personal love interest -- that God has for the poor. And His interest is high. As high (or higher?) as it is for those with money in their pockets. He understands the heartache over ragged clothes and growling stomachs, inadequate healthcare and meager living conditions, a lack of hope and lost dreams. Yes, God has a great interest in the poor, and he tells us that our response to their human condition is an indicator of what's in our hearts. And what's in our hearts is more important to God than our fatty financial portfolios.

Is what's in our hearts more important to us than where we stand financially? Is money more important to us than people? Do the banks we invest in have an exterior of skin, or brick?

I hope we can look at our hearts with honest evaluation when it comes to our money and the needs of others. If you really want to get close to God's heart, get close to the poor and needy. And whatever you don't have in the way of heartcry, just ask God for it, because He's in the business of changing hearts -- He is happy to give people compassion for those who ask for it.

So, ask for it.

Love,
Joelene