Bear Vent

He who is generous to the poor lends to the LORD; He will repay him in full measure. ( Proverbs 19:17 ) ——————— It is not wrong to invite our friends and relatives to a banquet. In many parts of Scripture the celebrations of brothers and neighbors are spoken of without being condemned as wrong. But no banquets are as pleasant as those given to the poor. Rich guests often come unwillingly, and go away without giving thanks. But the poor gather with delight around the wellspread table, and depart thanking the generous hand that prepared it. They enjoy just few pleasures, and they encounter only little kindness. The rich have the means to illuminate their dark path, and to make them forget their sorrows even just for a short while. To invite the poor pleases the Lord. Among those gathered from streets and hedges, there may be a Lazarus whom we shall meet again at the heavenly feast; it will be pleasant then to feel that we ministered to him here as one of God's saints. Yes, there are ...

A kind person benefits himself, but a cruel person brings himself trouble. ( Proverbs 11:17 ) ——————— Splendid reception, rich and noble guests — such feasts the Lord does not always approve of. (See Luke 14:12-14 .) He knows what often motivates the rich to invite their neighbors: the hope that they should be invited back, a selfish and squalid motive. The greedy never invite to partake of their dinner those who would not be able to return the favor; but the generous often called in the poor and suffering, or sent portions to their houses. Job appealed to God, saying, “Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans?” ( Job 31:17 ) And Nehemiah on a day of celebration said to the people of Israel, “You may go now; refresh yourselves with rich food and sweet drinks, and send a share to all who cannot provide for themselves.” ( Nehemiah 8:10 ) “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with ... kindness...” ( Colossians 3:12 ). Y...