Sometimes when I’m being spiritually rather thick, I’ll have to hear things two or three times to get them through my dense skull; to allow them to stir me into action. How about you?

Yesterday we chatted about God’s heart for the poor, and the opportunity we have between now and Christmas to reach out and bless someone who perhaps won’t be having quite the celebration that we will. After all, that’s what God wants …

Deuteronomy 15:11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ (ESV)

That’s not a suggestion by the way – it’s a command. But you know how it goes. In that hectic leadup to Christmas, even God’s commands can fall on deaf ears.

And look, with interest rates higher than they’ve been for a long time and inflation running rampant, it’s easy just to push it to one side. So just in case that’s where you were headed, this, again, from God:

Proverbs 22:9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. (ESV)

I love that expression – a bountiful eye! These days we might say – an abundance mentality. And come on, if we trust in the God who is above all, the God who loves us, the God who – no matter how tight things appear – will always provide for us, why wouldn’t we have an abundance mentality? So, as you head towards Christmas …

Have a bountiful eye. Share your bread with the poor, and you will be blessed.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.