It’s so interesting how God teaches us lessons. For instance, if God wants to teach you to be patient, you’re going to find yourself in every kind of situation that will test your patience. And from my experience it has been no different with other virtues.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NASB), Apostle Paul
lets us know that “Each one must do just
as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver”
It was only after I’d got that ingrained
into my psyche that I was taught that God also loves a gracious receiver.
Subsequently I was placed in various positions to test how well I’d receive
from others. You see, I’ve come to understand that if you can’t graciously
receive from your fellowman, it will be hard for you to receive from God.
Very often God will use a person to give
you what He has laid up in store for you, and if you do not know how to
properly receive, that is, without the self-consciousness, shame, embarrassment
or feelings of being a charity case, then what’s for you may prove slow in
coming.
Several years ago, I was put to the test regarding graciously receiving from others – family, friends, and strangers alike. But that’s not all, together with the receiving, I was being taught the art of asking for help as well, not just any help but financial help and not just one or two people but a multitude, and not privately and quietly but on social media, publicly and loudly.
When God wants you to learn a lesson, He sure has
His way of taking you beyond your comfort zone.
According to midrashic text, before God
parted the Red Sea, the Israelites had to wade into that water to their
nostrils. Sometimes that is the only way to be taught. By walking into the deep
water, we’re forced to overcome our natural fear-and-flee inclinations.
I hadn’t had either the luxury of walking
into deep water or the time to feel the shame associated with having to ask, instead,
pressing circumstances had caused me to dive right in. So I asked, and God
showed me the hearts of people. The outpouring of genuine concern for another’s
well-being and willingness to give love, support, encouragement, time, talent,
and money was incredible.
Paul, in Galatians 2:10, was asked to remember the poor, and he didn’t baulk at the request since it was something that he was eager to do.
Going through that period of learning, I saw
people eager to remember the poor. To keep the poor in mind is an act of
Christian charity – an example of God’s love. God knows what a person needs
most, so pray and allow God to lead you.
You don’t always require money to help and God
can show you other ways to provide for the poor and needy. He can show you who
are the right people to bring together to ensure that persons’ needs are met.
Beloved, just because you don’t have the
financial means does not mean you can’t still offer a helping hand. However, if
you can assist others financially then do not be tight-fisted. Like Paul, every
one of us must be eager to serve God and each other in this way.
As it is written,
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every
way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the
ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but
is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
(2 Corinthians 9:11-12 ESV)
Amen†
Shelley Johnson “Remember the Poor” © 2017
revisited August 12, 2025
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