Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

December 23
Wednesday


CAN YOU SPARE
A DIME?

READ:
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
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He who has mercy on
the poor, happy is he.
__Proverbs 14:21
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In her insightful book The Forgotten Man, Amity Shlaes provides fascinating stories about what life was like during the Great Depression in the US. At the center of that economic drama was "the forgotten man," a term used for the countless individuals who were thrown out of work.

A popular Depression-era song poignantly expresses their story:

They used to tell me I was building a
dream, with peace and glory ahead.
Why should I be standing in line,
just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad, I made it run,
made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad; now it's done.
Brother, can you spare a dime?

As the lyrics remind us, an economic downturn changes everything for hard-working people who lose their jobs. When that happens, we as Christians should do what we can for people in need.

In Galatians 2, Paul and Barnabas were reminded to evangelize and to "remember the poor" (v.10). We can see that Paul did just that-preaching the gospel and encouraging financial aid to those in need (Acts 11:29-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-3).

During tough economic times, we too should help people in need-spiritually and physically. A dime doesn't go far these days, but a generous attitude does. __ Dennis Fisher
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```````````````````The poor and needy everywhere```````````````
``````````````````Are objects of God's love and care,``````````````
``````````````````But they will always know despair```````````````
```````````Unless His love with them we share. __D. De Haan````````
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Good exercise for the heart is to
bend down and help another person up.

************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Corinthians 9:6-15**********

6 But this I say: He who
sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly, and he who
sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully. 7 So let
each one give as he
purposes in his heart, not
grudgingly or of necessity;
for God loves a cheerful
giver. 8 And God is able to
make all grace abound
toward you, that you,
always having all
sufficiency in all things,
may have an abundance for
every good work. 9 As it is
wirtten:
"He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures
forever."

10 Now may He who
supplies seed to the sower,
and bread for food, supply
and multiply the seed you
have sown and increase the
fruits of your righteousness,

11 while you are enriched in
everything for all liberality,
which causes thanksgiving
through us to God. 12 For
the administration of this
service not only supplies
the needs of the saints, but
also is abounding through
many thanksgivings to God,

13 while, through the proof
of this ministry, they glorify
God for the obedience of
your confession to the
gospel of Christ, and for
your liberal sharing with
them and all men, 14 and by
their prayer for you, who
long for you because of the
exceeding grace of God in
you. 15 Thanks be to God
for His indescribable gift!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

God commanded His people to be generous and to help the poor
(2 Cor. 9:6-7; Deut. 15:7-8,11) by leaving behind some of the
harvest for them (Lev.19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 23:24-25; 24:19-22).
Those who help the poor are blessed by God (Deut. 15:10; 24:19;
Ps. 41:1; Prov. 11:25; 19:17; 22:9; Matt. 6:1-4; Heb. 6:10).
__SIM KAY TEE