“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” – Proverbs 3:27, NIV
Many of us would have met an auntie or uncle selling tissue packs while dining out at the hawker centre. I have a confession – I used to dislike being interrupted midway through my meal and conversations with friends, and used to feel that it was a rip-off to pay a dollar or two for three packets of tissue. I had no compassion for the tissue paper vendors, and did not look upon them with kindness, until the Lord convicted me about how much He cares for the poor and needy.
God cares for the poor and needy. The Bible is replete with exhortations for Israel and the church to care for the poor and needy in their midst. When we treat those in need harshly or look down on them, our actions show contempt to their Maker. “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God” (Proverbs 14:31, NIV. See also Proverbs 17:5). We may not know why they are selling tissues to make a living but that should not stop us from treating them with respect and kindness. They too, bear the image of God and have God-given dignity and pride.
We honour God when we extend kindness to the poor and needy. God is the defender and advocate of the weak and vulnerable (Psalm 68:5). When we show kindness to those in need, we honour God, because they are on God’s heart. In the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus said, “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Matthew 25:40, NLT). Jesus equates our acts of kindness towards the poor with doing it to Him. If we despise the poor, we are despising Jesus, and if we give joyfully to the poor, we are likewise giving joyfully to Jesus!
Seek to bless those in need. The Lord has convicted me unto repentance. Nowadays, when I am approached by the tissue vendor, I happily purchase the tissue packs, and say a simple prayer of blessing for them. I no longer view these encounters as an interruption, but an invitation to bless the auntie or uncle whom God has brought my way, and bless our Lord Jesus.
Recently, a small group of my church members learned through a humanitarian team about a need for ladies' undergarments, for the Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Within days, the group rallied together and purchased $2000 worth of undergarments to bless the refugees. I was highly encouraged and inspired by their act of love.
Through our kindness and good deeds, we have the privilege to show and personify God’s love to the poor and needy, and let them know they have a place in the kingdom of God. Expressing love through action also fulfils the Great Commission.
Let us start doing good. It takes very little for us to show kindness. Let us be reminded that “Blessed is the one who is kind to the needy” (Proverbs 14:21, NIV).
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