“James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been EAGER TO DO all along” (Galatians 2:9-10)

It’s remarkable that while Paul’s visit to the apostles focused on his ministry to the Gentiles, the apostles requested that one thing should not stop: “continue to remember the poor.” It can be easy to forget or neglect this category of people among us. We can be so taken up by doctrines, missions, gifts or projects that we neglect this ministry to the poor in our midst. God spoke to the Israelites saying: “For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). It was important to the apostles because it’s important to the Lord Jesus. God told the Israelites: “Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand” (Deuteronomy 15:10).

Jesus likewise said: “Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink…” (Matthew 25:34-36). May God’s compassionate ability remain with us. Amen.

#goodmorning

BeEncouraged❤ Freely received. Freely shared