Thursday 15 September 2016
“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honour him.” (v. 31)
Psalm: Psalm 5:1-8
Background
Today's verses are linked by the theme of righteousness and itsrewards contrasted with sin and its penalties, which is a commontheme throughout Proverbs.
The end of chapter 14 brings in a common theme in Wisdomliterature and in Scripture, one not simply of God's care for thepoor but of God's intimate connection with the poor. To fail tocare for the poor is not simply to fail in a religious duty, it isto insult God who is their maker. The point seems to be strongerthan just that care for the poor and weak is a good thing: it isthat God created us all and therefore is related to us all. Thissense of an intimate connection between God and the poor reminds usof Jesus challenge that to fail to care for the poor and weak is tofail to care for him (
To Ponder
- Is there a particular proverb from today's passage which youcan take with you to ponder during the rest of the day? What is it?And why do you think it jumps out at you?
- What is there in this passage that you know to be true but findhard to live by? You might wish to pray about this.
- What (specifically) can you do to honour God by being kind tothe needy?