Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
CHARITY DOESN'T EXIST
If charity is giving without expecting any payback, then charity does not exist in the world of the Christian.
Why? Because God promises the Christian that anything given to the poor is actually lent to the LORD. Giving money to those who need it and cannot pay it back is not like throwing money in a bottomless hole. God promises the Christian that any charitable gift is actually given into the hand of God. In addition, God promises a good return on what we lend to Him. And that return is guaranteed by God to come into the life of the Christian both in this life, and the next.
"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes" (Psalm 41:1-2).
"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (Luke 14:13-14).
Should we be surprised that God promises to bless the charitable Christian? Not at all. When Christ Jesus gave His whole life so that sinners like you and I would be forgiven, God didn't leave His Son in the grave, but raised Him to life and eternal glory!
Christ's charity has given us the forgiveness of sins. When Christ's Spirit in us moves us to give of ourselves, God doesn't close His eyes.
