1 Samuel 25:1-17
“Pity the Fool”
The following is an extended quote from A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent.
23. A HEART FOR THE POOR
Like nothing else could ever do, the gospel instills in me a heart for the downcast, the poverty-stricken, and those in need of physical mercies, especially when such persons are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).
When I see persons who are materially poor, I instantly feel a kinship with them, for they are physically what I was spiritually when my heart was closed to Christ (Rev. 3:17, 20). Perhaps some of them are in their condition because of sin, but so was I. Perhaps they are unkind when I try to help them; but I, too, have been spiteful to God when He has sought to help me. Perhaps they are thankless and even abuse the kindness I show them, but how many times have I been thankless and used what God has given me to serve selfish ends?
Perhaps a poverty-stricken person will be blessed and changed as a result of some kindness I show him. If so, God be praised for His grace through me. But if the person walks away unchanged by my kindness, then I still rejoice over the opportunity to love as God loves (Matthew 5:44-45; Romans 2:4). Perhaps the person will repent in time; but for now, my heart is chastened and made wiser by the tangible depiction of what I myself have done to God on numerous occasions.
The gospel reminds me daily of the spiritual poverty into which I was born (Ps. 51:5) and also of the staggering generosity of Christ towards me (Romans 8:7-9; Rom. 8:32). Such reminders instill in me both a felt connection to the poor and a desire to show them the same generosity that has been lavished on me (Eph. 1:7-8). When ministering to the poor with these motivations, I not only preach the gospel to them through word and deed, but I reenact the gospel to my own benefit as well.
Amen! I hope to see y’all Sunday!