Compassion Blog Month

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matt. 19:21 KJV

Growing up, I never thought much about the needy. I knew they were out there, but we rarely talked about them. I lived a sheltered life and was more concerned about my own wants and desires. Learning to care for them has been a gradual process that began after I got married and had a baby. I’ve come to realize that a giving heart needs to be instilled in children from the time they are young, because it won’t come naturally or easily in our materialistic, self-centered culture.

I feel this is something greatly lacking in our nation. Most of us are very spoiled and have no idea how extreme poverty is in many parts of the world. We would be appalled if we knew just how bad it is – sewage in the streets, starvation, lack of basic necessities like shoes and clean water, things that we take for granted. We are enjoying the blessings of God that were brought upon us in our country’s infancy by men who sought the Lord. This is a wonderful thing, but it can make us forgetful. Jeremiah is filled with prophecies of how God's wrath would destroy his people because they had become so wicked. The following scripture tells of how they had become fat and ceased to care for the needy.

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Jer. 5:28

I am currently working on reading the Bible completely through for the first time. I had tried this before but always became bogged down by laws and would eventually return to the New Testament. However, this time it has been different, perhaps because of my spiritual growth due to physical suffering. At any rate, I am in Jeremiah and what has really surprised me is how many scriptures admonish us to help the needy, particularly the fatherless and widows.

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Prov. 28:27

I know that not everyone is able to give, but for those who are able, it’s very important.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:42-44

What a beautiful story of love, the kind of love that will make a difference. If we all had giving hearts like that woman…just imagine!

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:13,14

I recently discovered that this is Compassion Blog Month, which is perfect, because I’ve been thinking of doing a post about this ministry. They are helping more than 950,000 children in 24 countries. They work through local churches to provide children with what they need to “have a quality and sustainable livelihood.”

We are sponsoring two precious souls through this well established organization and have been blessed by the experience. Kanchana lives in Thailand. We have sponsored her about a year now. She is 15, very sweet and sends us the most beautiful pictures. There is a great need for sponsors for older children.

Cristian is from Peru, and we received our first letter about him in October of 2002. He is nine, a year older than our son. We hope that they will eventually be pen-pals. Kylen has just begun to show an interest in writing and has prepared a couple of letters for them. We receive several nice letters each year (written by their own hand and translated) along with photographs and updates. Sponsors are encouraged to share their faith in letters and to pray for the children.

Let's not forget the needy. You can read more about people's experiences with sponsoring through Compassion by visiting Shaun Grove's blog.

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Gal. 2:10