At times we can tend to complain about our 'lot' in life but always knowing there is somewhere here in the United States where a person would love to trade places with you. All towns have their needy people. We may think, 'oh I wish I had a bigger house' or 'I wish I could afford steak more often'. Or maybe the complaint is "I wish I could go on a trip to Disney World." Look around you. There are poor folks everywhere. You do not have to look far. I see people out here where I live occasionally pushing a little cart collecting cans off the road. Their appearance is pretty down and out. Now these are not the people, I am sure we have all seen, standing on a corner with a sign 'will work for food.' Most times I feel that is a con, but then say, if you feel in your heart led to help one of those folks on the corner and they misuse the money for booze or are just shamming the public out of their money, then that is between them and God. You did what you thought was right.
The people in the United States, even those on welfare, are pretty well off compared to most of the world. I have heard people say 'well I do not want to give them money, they are just lazy beggars. Let them go find a job!" We really do not know their situation ,and regardless, it is not our place to judge and condemn. There is a verse in Hebrews that says you never know, the person might be an angel, so it might be a test. Something to think about.(See Hebrews 13:2).
Romans 12:3 says "For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you." Do not look down on others. If you catch yourself doing this remind yourself it is only by God's grace you are where you are. Never think you did all you did by yourself. Proverbs 16:17-18 says "The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." So you see God's word has much to say about not thinking you are better than others. Ecclesiastes 7:16 says "Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise--why destroy yourself?" So do not be all puffed up and arrogant.
Position and power is great but we are to remember those who are struggling and when we have the opportunity to share with others. Even a simple cup of water or a $5 bill might make someone elses' day.
PRAYER: Dear Lord help us keep our eyes open to those around us with needs. Some of these needs may also be emotional. Help us never be too busy or too self important to think we can not help. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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