Daily Walking, Working, and Winning by God's Word by Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr.

One of the more enduring images I have in my mind are the favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Never have I seen before such abject poverty. This picture depicts an housing area were people live. The poster reads: "remember the poor: March 21, 2010."

It is interesting to note that you don't have to go far to witness poverty. It is everywhere. The scripture lesson for this morning reminds us to, "remember the poor."

Why does God allow so many of His children to be poor? He could make them all rich if He pleased. There is no need for people to be poor, except that He sees that it is best. "The cattle on a thousand hills are His." He could supply them; He could make the richest, the greatest, and the mightiest bring all their power and riches to the feet of His children, for all the hearts of the people are in His control. But He does not choose to do so; He allows them to be in want, He allows them to pine in penury and obscurity. Why is this?

There are many reasons: one is, to give us, who are favored with enough, an opportunity of showing our love to Jesus. We show our love to Christ when we sing of Him and when we pray to Him; but if there were no sons or daughters in need in the world we would lose the sweet privilege of evidencing our love, by ministering in giving money or goods to His poor; He has ordained that thus we should prove that our love does not exist in word only, but in deed and in truth. If we truly love Jesus Christ, we shall care for those who are loved by Him. Those who are dear to Him will be dear to us.

Let's then look upon it not as duty but as a privilege to relieve the poor of the Lord's flock - remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me." Surely this assurance is sweet enough, and this motive strong enough to lead us to help others with a willing hand and a loving heart - recollecting that all we do for His people is graciously accepted by Christ as doe to Himself.