Posted on 07/20/2022 11:36:14 PM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath” (Proverbs 21:13-14).
This man won’t listen to their pleas. There are two truths in this verse. First, if you don’t help the poor, you will wind up being poor; and secondly, when you are poor God will make sure that nobody hears you when you holler. These are general truths. This was especially true in the Old Testament where if a man did right, God blessed him materially.
Take the rich man in Luke 16. What did he do for Lazarus? He didn’t give him anything other than crumbs off the table. He stopped his ears at the cry of the poor. Was he heard when he hollered out of hell? Nope. He sure wasn’t. Reaping what you sow is the message of this verse.
Also, in Matthew 25 we find that this will apply to the end of the Tribulation as well: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:34-40).
Jesus told them that because they had helped others, therefore enjoy the kingdom. And because that other crowd hadn’t taken care of the poor, and hadn’t helped them out—when they cried for mercy they got none.
And it also applies to you and I. Because we helped missionaries go to the lost, the poor spiritually, God supplies our needs: “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:16-19).
On the other hand, if we won’t listen to the call of the heathen, there is a good chance that God won’t listen to your prayer either.
“A gift in secret pacifieth anger,” speaking of how to handle trouble with somebody else. Solomon touched on this theme in 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Here, if someone is upset with you or you got in bad with somebody, one way to handle it is with a gift in secret.
Paul lays out for us the biblical way for a Christian to handle this sort of situation: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
They are not to continue the strife by words and actions that stir up trouble, but rather with gifts, remember that vengeance belongs to the Lord: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth” (Proverbs 26:20).
If anyone would like to be added to the ping list, please let me know either by post or by p.m.
For more books on all topics of the Bible, visit my web site at:
Bump.
Amen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.