November 22

Proverbs 31:20
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Biblical Insight
The Book of Amos decries those who fail to help the poor, condemning the elite of the northern kingdom of Israel who sold out their brothers and sisters. In Amos 4:1, the prophet castigated the women of the nation, calling them “kine [cows] of Bashan.” Despite being elite and having more than enough for themselves and their families, they ignored the cries of the poor and even made things worse. The Proverbs 31 woman would not have faced such criticism because she reached out to the poor, despite her busy life.

Daily Devotion
It is easy to become overwhelmed with the push for charity during the holidays since we do not want to feel guilt for not helping the less fortunate while enjoying our own festivities. The ease of conscience has become one of the greatest marketing campaigns ever. However, what about the rest of the year? Shouldn’t we have an open heart concerning those around us all year long?

Charity is most effective when it is most sincere. The human tendency to turn service into something self-serving is nothing new. One of Martin Luther’s critique of the high church in the 1500s was his objection to the faux humility and hypocrisy he sensed in the practice of footwashing. Religious leaders were making a show of washing a needy person’s feet to portray themselves as caring and compassionate. They irony, hypocrisy, and exploitation of what Jesus instituted for the purpose of service and humility outraged Luther, and he admonished believers instead to focus on serving their neighbors.

Our human nature is prone to self-serving tendencies; however, as we pursue a depth in our walk with God and a genuine love for others, God helps correct our perspective. Consider how you could help someone in need this week and how God can get the glory.