God Repays

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” (Pr 19:17 AV)

Doesn’t that underlined phrase above pique your interest?  Can we really lend to a God who owns everything?  Yet Solomon states we can.  In sharing with those less fortunate we are lending to the LORD.  We are giving to that individual something which God has given to us.  The reason for phrasing it as such is that God will return that loan to the one who made it.  Much like a bank that issues loans.  The bank has no capital of its own, so to speak.  Their capital comes from the saving of those who hold accounts there or the interest paid by those who have loans.  When they issue a loan, what they are really doing is advancing your money that comes from a third source; the debtors and account holders.  In this sense, we are the bank.  God gives us resources that we save.  Then when one has a need we can fill, we disburse what God has bestowed and the LORD returns what we have lent; either in reimbursement of like kind, or some other blessing of greater value.  Generosity is always repaid in one way or another.

If we have a surplus, or even if it might hurt a little, meeting the needs of those less fortunate is a good thing to do.  The concept above is not a foreign one.  Jesus told His disciples that if they give to the poor, they are giving to Him.  If we do so unto the least of the brethren, we are doing so unto Him.  There are those who are in dire straights and it is in the power of others to help.  I don’t claim to know the theology of it all.  All I know is the LORD says if we give unto the poor when it is in the power of our hand to do it, we are doing do unto the LORD.  When we do, the LORD will be sure to recompense our generosity back upon us.  It may not be equal to material blessings.  Rather, it may be spiritual in nature.  Whatever the reimbursement, it will be equal to or greater than what we were willing to part with.

The beauty of thinking of benevolence this way is that it takes out of the equation what we may or may not think of the poor to whom we are being kind.  If we overthink it and require a means test to the nth degree before we share what we have, there may be an unfair evaluation towards the one with the need.  However, if we see it as though we are lending to the LORD, then the individual who receives the gift is free from unfair judgment.  If they are in genuine need and have no other recourse, then we are free to share with no requirement to justify the benevolence.  One condition is if we are lending it unto the LORD, then the person receiving it must use it as the LORD would use it.  Therefore, we can do our due diligence so we are not giving to someone who would use it for vice, or who is habitually poor when he need not be.  If the poor will use our kindness ethically and morally, then we are giving unto the LORD.  And all judgment ceases.  So, when someone with a need expresses that need, remember, you are giving to God and God will pay you back.