How we respond to the poor and to those in trouble says a lot about us...
"Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is
glad at calamity will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 17:5 ESV)
Have you ever noticed that when we're late, we have an
excuse, but when others are late, we often think them to be poor planners or
inconsiderate? Have you ever noticed that we have a story for everything that
goes wrong in our lives, but we often think others' problems are simply their
carelessness, laziness, etc.?
Let's be honest; it's HARD to shift out of the
judging-others-gear. It's hard!
Whether we are dealing with the poor or considering the
situation of someone who is going through "calamity", let's slow down
and see the wisdom of God. Let's seek HIS view of the situation and the person.
Let's try to think with His mind, respond with His heart and speak with His
words.
True, sometimes people are late because they are poor
planners or inconsiderate. True, sometimes things go wrong because of our
choices. True, sometimes people are poor because they are lazy. True, sometimes
"calamity" comes on people and it SEEMS justifiable. These things
might be true, but how we respond to them does not have to be the world's
typical response.
We might do well to learn to listen, and we'd definitely do
well to hold back from mocking. We'd do well to apply the Prophet Micah's
instruction: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD
require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with
your God?" (Micah 6:8 ESV)
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