I have never seen the righteous forsaken I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. (Psalm 37:25, 26) Here's a fine testimony by the Psalmist. 2 important facts about the righteous are highlighted here by him. One that they are generous and lend freely and secondly because of their generosity, they are never forsaken and their children are blessed. This in fact is enough to propel any believer to being generous to those who are in want. The apostle James says, 'What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.' (James 2:14-17) So who all are we supposed to help? Ask some believers. The Bible gives the answer to that too. 'Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.'(Galatians 6:9,10) I think this would be what one could call 'living out the gospel'. There are several wonderful blessings mentioned in the Bible for the righteous who are generous and give freely. Remember, you will never be forsaken and your children will be blessed if you are among the few who are such. Here's another promise to support this fact: 'Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.' (Psalm 112:5, 6) |