Be good

Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." NKJV

Well today should be an easy one, its on being good.  The NIV one says to be kind. 

Proverbs 28:8 says "Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor." and later in the chapter it says "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses."

So as you can see it got me thinking about the poor.  It's so easy to be kind to my family and friends when they need something because at some point I get something in return.  It's a whole different thing when you are kind to someone who you do not know, knowing you will never get anything in return.  Often times not even a thank you.  But God clearly wants us to help the needy.  There is SO many ways to help.  No matter what step of life you are in.  You can help someone else that is less fortunate than you. 

Our church did a 3 day life lesson about how it is to be poor.  We were given dry beans and white rice rations for 3 days per family member.  That's all we could eat.  Let me tell you, it was not easy.  Most of the people who participated in this lesson at our church HATED it.  Several people said that they'd rather just give the poor people money or fast for a day instead of having to eat what they eat for only 3 days. 

That lesson has really stuck with me and I remember it often when I see a homeless person.  I have to stop and give them food or money.  It's one thing to see a sad looking African child with flies on his face on TV and give money, its a whole other thing to actually do a missions trip to Africa and live for a few days the way they do.

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."  Ezekiel 16:49

Are we as Americans, arrogant, overfed and unconcerned?  Are we willing to help the poor, to do good, and be kind?  I'd love to hear how you are helping others