Thoughts for the Day

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honour him.
The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,
but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Peter Maurin wrote an interesting poem on this particular Proverb, called 'Passing the Buck'

In the first centuries of Christianity
   the poor were fed, clothed, and sheltered
   at a personal sacrifice
   and the Pagans
   said about the Christians:
   "See how they love each other."

Today the poor are fed, clothed, and sheltered
   by the politicians
   at the expense
   of the taxpayers.

And because the poor
   are no longer
   fed, clothed, and sheltered
   at a personal sacrifice
   but at the expense
   of taxpayers
   Pagans say about Christians:
   "See how they pass the buck."

Do I need to say much more - well, perhaps all of us should do one of these today:

• Review our financial giving to charities.
• Take something to a charity shop.
• Do something to help someone in need.

Heavenly Father,
You command each one of us
to care for the poor,
but all too often we put this off,
we say "We are the poor,
and we cannot afford to help!"
Enable us to be honest with ourselves
and learn to give until it hurts.
Amen.