This Week With Jesus

1 kings 17 verses 13-15 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. One of the basic principles of Christianity is sharing. During the early days of the disciples recorded in the Acts, the principle of sharing and the activities around it is mentioned in detail. This is especially true when we receive numerous blessings from God, not only in terms of material things but more importantly the blessing of peace offered by Jesus. In the quoted verse the widow shared her last meal. At that point in time she did not know her food supply...

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. ESV 17 Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full MSG In the quoted verse I believe that the thought is better represented by the word "needy" rather than the word "poor" as it is inclusive and refers to various needs of people. Meeting those needs creates a transformation - From Sadness to hope. Such a transformation creates hope in the hopeless when their mental or physical needs are met. This transformation can happen to anyone and everyone, who asks, as God is the author and the architect. But we too can participate in the transformation helping God with small things.  It could be helping someone buy groceries, share time with someone who maybe lonely. Maybe chat with lonely elders and listen to their stories, which, by the way , are usually very interesting, entertaining and informative. Sometimes all we may need to invest is a ...