Helping the Poor

Today's devotional is from Your Life Matters: Daily Reflections from the Psalms

"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge" - Psalm 14:6.

God's heart is toward the poor, who are the victims in a fallen world where injustice and oppression are the norm. The Bible is full of directives on how to treat, view, and care for the poor, but today's verse indicates that 'evildoers' don't understand God's care or concern. Therefore, the poor have no alternative but to rely on the Lord as their refuge.

When they do, that means those who come to the poor must come through the Lord, and they will find Him their strong help in times of trouble—and the enemy of their enemies. What's more, today's verse indicates the poor don't want or need just a handout, but need to play in a role and a say in developing plans to escape their poverty.

In Proverbs, the wisdom writer warned, "One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty" (22:19). Are you on the side of the poor? Do you help them through your church, in politics, in education, or in business as they attempt to alleviate their own poverty? What more can you do to empathize, get in touch with, and help soothe their misery?