Suffering: Poverty, Like Naomi
If anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?
1 John 3:17 (ESV)
He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”
Luke 6:20-21 (NASB)
Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth, is a role model for witnessing Christ, especially in dire circumstances, AND especially among outsiders.
Her kindness (even amid great losses) made Ruth (not a Jew) want to become one! Ruth's conversion marks the bloodline of Christ.
Earlier, when Naomi's family left Israel in the wake of famine, the faithful wife would become MUCH poorer, suffering the loss of husband and sons!
Except for Ruth, who became her treasure!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
What should you know about poverty?
Poverty is like a 9-1-1 call: 'The poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land' ' (Deuteronomy 15:11).
Our King’s target audience was the poor: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim Good News to the poor' (Luke 4:18). 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God' (Luke 6:20).
God Himself identifies with the poor: 'Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord' (Proverbs 19:17); 'Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me' (Matthew 25:40). 'Saul, why do you persecute Me?' (Acts 9:4).
God is inviting the poor to His house: 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame... compel them to come in, so that my house will be full' (Luke 14:21-23). 'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden' (Matthew 11:28).
People who are lost are poor people, too: 'When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd' (Matthew 9:36). 'For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost' (Luke 19:10).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Your entrance on Entertainment’s stages clearly reveals your Captain’s action plan:
'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven' (Matthew 5:16). Impoverished fans, seeking a leader, need to witness your kindness and purpose. Your acts of compassion DO feed the poor.
Suffering: Poverty, Like Naomi (Part 26)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!