First, before I start - this is not an appeal for giving to our carepoint. I am completely comfortable that Ludlati is in God’s hands and that we have no need to badger anyone for support. Having said that, I do think that we all need to seriously consider how important it is to give generously to support the poor. Where?.. How?... I can’t tell you that. Seek God with that question, He won’t leave you without an answer if you desire to give deeply of what you have. Why do I think it is so important to support those in need… to an extent that demonstrates real compassion? (Remember that definition again – the Greek root words mean “to suffer with”). I’ll start with 48 reasons – 48 reasons among hundreds in God’s Word. No need to look all these up, they are listed on this site under “About > Perspective” on the menu bar above, or at this link: “About > Perspective”
Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:16-21; Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12: 28-34; Luke 10:25-28; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-14; James 2:8-9; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Deuteronomy 15:10-12; Zechariah 7:8-10; Matthew 9:21; Luke3:10-11; James 2:14-19; 2 Corinthians 8:12-15; Exodus 22:21-23; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 14:28-30; Job 24:1-4; Psalm 10:14; Psalm 68:5; Jeremiah 49:11; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 1:23; Matthew 18:5; John 14:18; James 1:22-27; Exodus 23:10-12; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:21-23; Exodus 23:4-6; Deuteronomy 24:17-18; Deuteronomy 27:19; 1 Kings 3:10-12; 2 Samuel 12:1-5; Job 29:16; Job 31:17-23; Psalm 112:4-6; Psalm 140:11-13; Luke 18:7-8; James 2:1-7;
Isaiah 10:1-3; Amos 5:6-7; Ezekiel 16:49; Matthew 23:23-24; Matthew 25:34-26; Luke 16:19-26
When you read these, note how many say “you must support a Ludlati orphan”. That’s right, precisely zero. I make no pretense to tell you where or how God has told you to have compassion for those in severe need. However, I will be bold in this assertion: God HAS told you to have true compassion for those in need. To love them as you love yourself. To love them as if they are Jesus… because Jesus said that in some very real way they ARE Him. To give until there is equality. He’s told you to do that. How do I know that? He made those instructions universally to all of us in His Word.
I just listed three things God told you to do. He told me the same thing. My grades: FAIL, FAIL, and FAIL. Thank God for grace. But I will tell you that I believe I may be getting close to a D-minus for effort. And God has met my weak and feeble effort with a peace and joy, a security in my life and purpose that I have longed for all my life but always failed to find. God’s goal is not judgment. It is for us to share in His joy and His heart’s desire. He loves us… just as much as he loves the poor. By giving we connect with His heart, the poor see and feel His love through us, and He is pleased.
