If I have refused the wishes of the poor or let the widow’s eyes go blind, if I have eaten my few crumbs alone without letting the fatherless eat any of it. Job 31:16-17 HCSB
I tend to have a soft spot for those who are in need. Just recently, there was a lady with a small child that came to the church asking for help. The electricity had been shut off at her house. She did not need monetary assistance, but instead asked if we had any candles or flashlights she could use to light the house in the dark until she could get the electricity turned back on. I was able to go to the store and purchase some candles and flashlights for her to meet her request. She was very appreciative.
In Job’s time, the widows and fatherless were considered worthy of special charity. People were to help take care of those who could not care for themselves. Job continued to refute the many claims made against him as a cause for his suffering. He claimed that he had not neglected the poor, the widows, or the fatherless. He had not caused them to suffer in any way.
Challenge: God values and loves all people and expects us to do the same. Jesus taught that the first commandment was to “Love God” and the second commandment was to “Love one another”. Our relationship with God is a direct reflection of how we treat others. God has compassion and expects us to have that same compassion for the poor and needy.