The Care Of Man

Focus: Psalms 142:4-5 - KJV

4. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

The arm of flesh fails. The heart of the ordinary man is desperately wicked. He thinks of himself first and himself alone. He only thinks of God when he runs into some skirmish or has a need he is not able to meet by his own powers. But the regenerated man is expected to be better, generous and with integrity. He does not abandon anyone in need when he can afford to help, knowing quite well that whatever he does is laying up treasures for himself and laying hold on eternal life. For a time is coming for which that which is laid up is going to be available for eternity.

The rich man was very unkind to Lazarus even though he knew his awkward state and penury. Even though Lazarus was not gifted with riches on earth, he still had kindness to draw from in eternity when he was in Abraham’s bosom. But the rich man was so bereft in that he had nothing to draw from and he lacked life in eternity. He was in a place of turmoil because he lacked care. Lazarus looked up to him while he could lend a hand in generosity but he refused to. God took Lazarus in the end and he had a good future.

We are to ensure by all means possible, that it is not said of us as believers that we acted wickedly towards anyone in need. The Bible enjoins us to instruct those who are rich to be generous. Anyone who, after taking a meal, has a reserve in his refrigerator, or has some leftover on his plate to trash, is rich. Rather than store away food or trash it, show generosity to others who are not able to afford a meal. That is God’s instruction to us today. And He promises it will not be in vain but stored up for us in eternal life.

Please pray:

Thank you, Lord for being my provider and not allowing me to lack anything good. Help me to be truly generous and benevolent towards others in need. More importantly, please help me to practice true moderation and not be wasteful in any way; and help me so that what I had been putting to waste in the past is converted to good use for those in need and even better, in Jesus’ name. As you have made me rich by having food on my table, let it never be my portion that I beg bread for any reason, O Lord, in Jesus’ name.

Please share with others. God bless you.