Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 14:20-21(KJV): 
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Thoughts for the Day:

In these verses found in Proverbs, an observation is made as to how the rich and the poor are treated in this world. Verse 20 tells us that in the world, the poor are even hated by their own neighbors. This is why there is usually so much hatred and violence in poor neighborhoods. The Bible calls poverty a "curse," as it breeds so many other problems. Filth and sickness are just two of the things that sometimes accompany poverty. When people do not have enough money to eat properly, this in turn, produces ill health. When poverty abounds in a region, it becomes demoralizing.  People become depressed and lose hope for a better day. Many come to a place of just not caring any more, which in turn, breeds irresponsibility. This is the perfect seed bed for rebellion to grow in. The only way out of the poverty cycle is to give our lives to God.  In this way, we can be redeemed from poverty, as well as all other things that do not accurately represent our God.  God blesses His people when they follow and obey Him.

Deuteronomy 28:1-6:
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

We can see from the above verses how much the Lord wants to bless us. However, if we desire to be blessed, we must have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ so that we are able to keep the commandments of God, with His strength and power. If we rebel and go our own way, we will find the law of sowing and reaping will bring a curse upon us.  One of those curses is poverty. The answer to poverty is not money, but a change of heart that comes from knowing Christ. Our government has discovered that a welfare program of just throwing money at the problem does not always solve it, but rather compounds it. Money never solves the root problems in the lives of people, as it does not overcome hatred, violence, lust, evil, irresponsibility, fear, torment, etc. The curse continues unless these issues are dealt with.

Deuteronomy 28:15-20:
15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.
18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

In our daily study verses, it states that the rich have many friends. However, because money is at the heart of some of these friendships, they are not based on love and respect, but are maintained because of a need or a provision that is being sustained by the one with the money. Verse 21 tells us that those who despise their neighbor sin against God, his fellow man, and himself.  On the other hand, those who are kind and merciful to the poor are happy, blessed and fortunate. Jesus Himself, gave up His position of wealth and became poor so that we might become rich in the blessings of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 8:9: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that I know You.  You have blessed me greatly, and I am thankful for that goodness toward me. Father, strengthen me to daily walk in obedience to Your commandments. Lord, help me also to be sensitive to the needs of others.  I desire to be a giver and reach out and help those who are poor.  Help me not to ever demean or look down on those who are less fortunate than I am, but rather let me lift them up and give them hope and encouragement. Help me to trust you for daily provision and to give of those things that I do have.  I can always share a smile, encouragement, faith, love and prayers with others.  I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.