Loving the Poor

This is something that comes from the heart. It is in our soul to love the less fortunate. It comes from knowing but for the grace of God we would be in the same circumstance. There is a bible truth that should make us stop and think about how we are stewards of what God has given us. Matt.19:16-30 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said,  "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."  When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said,  "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
For there is not one among us who will take anything with us when we die. So be careful what you strive for!
The things we all work so hard for will be left for others. Trust God for He will guide you in all you do.
Lord, I pray for the people who are caught up in the riches of the world. If they were close to You, material things would loose their hold on them. Bless our pastor as he stands on Your word and shows us what loving the poor really means. Help us to love people who are here and far away. Lead us to Your will and give us courage to do it. Amen