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Day 98 Proverbs 14:20 Proverbs 14:20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich hath many friends. 21 He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Why is it that poor people are looked down on and are the castoffs of society? Why do people only want to associate with people who have money and wealth? Poor people are people too. God made provision for the poor so they would have what they needed. Deuteronomy 15:9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou give him naught; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou give unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou put thine hand unto. 11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. God said to open your hand wide to the poor and needy. However, some people give grudgingly, and what is old and shabby, falling apart expecting that is good enough for the poor and needy. Solomon said people who do that sin, but those who treat their poor neighbors and the poor in general with generosity would be happy and know the blessing of God on their lives. There are many reasons why people are poor, and I’m not referring to those people who refuse to work and live off the government, but those who are poor because the only job they can get is menial labor and pays very little so they are living hand to mouth, barely able to pay their bills and put a little food on the table each month. There are people who cannot go to college and get a nice education so they can get a good paying job because they don’t have the understanding for college and a minimal education is all they are capable of. There are people who are unable to work because of disabilities. Those are the people God refers to and the ones we are told to help. Jesus said there would always be poor people among us. It is our duty to care for these people and let them know they are just as important and valuable to society as those who are wealthy. The next time you see a person genuinely down on their luck, help them out, be generous, and God will bless you. Poor people are people too. Let’s pray: Father, help me be generous to the poor and needy. Let me see them as you see them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 14 December 2016 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay