Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him. Proverbs 14:31

     I couldn’t help but notice him as he walked down the street. He was carrying a large bedroll and a tattered old back pack; his hair was stringing but without a touch of gray; his head bowed down over a dirty tee shirt and pants that had seen better days. And I wondered: What happened? How had he come to be homeless?
     As I thought of him, I could only feel sad. Though I didn’t know him and, therefore, had no idea where he was going nor how he had come to what he was, I didn’t judge him by providing explanations or answers that I find are so easily thought of. But I wondered if he knew God, God’s grace in Jesus and the eternal value he has in God’s heart.
     Interesting. That night in my daily devotions, I read the above proverb. I wondered about it. Then I decided that God was inviting me to see differently. Instead of questions about why someone was the way they are, I could begin asking how I could create more effective systems of care. What could I do to recognize the connection the poor – in this case the homeless – to their Maker?
     But apart from the food ministry at Redeemer, I really don’t have much opportunity to act on behalf of the poor – or do I? The truth of the matter is that many of us deal with those who feel downtrodden in life everyday. The man who is struggling at work or has lost his job or the woman who fights to have appropriate influence in a job that has been traditionally male dominated are among them. Our children who experience temporary set backs and disappointments but feel them deeply often lose their sense of connection to our Maker. 
     Kindness to the needy can take on many forms if we are only willing to see people differently and look for the opportunity to affirm God’s value in them. So the man on the street reminds me to act on behalf of the poor and homeless. But he also reminds me to be kind to my wife and co-workers, to go out of my way to smile and say thank you to the man who is cleaning the men’s restroom at the arena or the woman who is clearing my plate at the restaurant.
     This proverb reminds us that we honor God in how we treat others – especially those over whom we have power or position or who are simply closest to us.

Lord Jesus, help me honor you in the kindness I show others. Amen