When you read this, I will be in Malawi, Africa, visiting the Kondanani Village Children’s home. Malawi is the poorest country in all of Africa. The average person makes $360 per year. Compare that with the average American who makes $55,000. Automatically our heart goes out to those who are going without and rightfully so. Scripture tells us to minister to them, but James also tells us that the poor person should boast in our needs.
James 1:9
Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation,”
A Special Place in God’s Heart
God has a special place in his heart for those who are poor. In fact, they have an elevated position and should boast about it. Poverty may deny the person all the earthly pleasures and comforts most of us enjoy, but they benefit from God’s blessings in ways that we will never know. Being poor is not a curse or even a disease. It is part of the fallout of sin. Economies crater on the brink of failure because of corrupt governments and greedy business people.
Blessed Where You At
Don’t despise where God has you at if you are living in poverty. Look to Him and ask how He wants to use you where you are. It is a lot easier to feed five thousand if the person doesn’t have the means as opposed to someone who does but is unwilling to give. It is when all we can do is turn to God that we see Him show up in miraculous ways. Trust Him in your circumstances and watch as He provides a way.
Boast in Our Needs
Maybe you’re not suffering in poverty. I’m gonna guess that is most of us because we have access to the internet and email. Our role in these matters is to look out for the oppressed and meet the needs of the poor. Don’t try to be God in their lives. In fact, Scripture tells us that when we give our left hand should not know what our right hand is doing. That means our giving should be so discreet even we don’t realize we are doing it. We have the ability to bring great glory to God by assisting those in need.