Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
To consider the poor is to give them thoughtful, attentive care, and the one who does so is blessed by God and delivered by the Lord in time of trouble. The promise is enlarged to keeping him alive and blessing him on the earth, guarding him from his enemies and refusing to hand him over to them, and strengthening and sustaining him in sickness. Those to be so considered include widows, fatherless children, the aged, the helpless, and the sick, entrusted to tender stewardship, and their care is ministering to the afflicted and needy by comforting the despondent, visiting the sick, and giving to those in need, a work each church is to do. Such care is practical faithful service that meets God's requirements, and mercy to the suffering is joined to God's merciful care in return, so that the giver also receives care and finds peace, satisfaction, and blessing.
Blessing and Deliverance Promised
To consider the poor means to give them thoughtful, attentive care, not casual notice but deliberate kindness that enters into their need. The one who so considers them is blessed by God, and the Lord himself will deliver that person in time of trouble. That deliverance is part of a broader assurance that God preserves and sustains those who meet His requirements in this practical service.
The promise is enlarged in the verses that follow, which add preservation of life to deliverance from trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and will bless him upon the earth. He will protect him from his enemies and will not deliver him over to their will. In sickness He will strengthen and sustain him, upholding him with preserving, sustaining care.
Care for the Poor
The poor to be thoughtfully considered are widows and fatherless children, together with the aged, the helpless, and the sick who still remain in need of care. They are placed by God in the hands of His stewards, entrusted to their mercy and love and tender care, and they are not to be neglected.
To consider them is to minister to those who are afflicted and in need. That ministering takes concrete form in comforting the despondent, visiting the sick, and giving to those in need. This responsibility belongs to each local church in its own place, and no church should leave the whole work to be done by another church.
Such care for people in need is the practical expression of faithful service by which God's requirements are met. Compassionate help given to the suffering is joined to God's preserving and sustaining care for those who show mercy, including His deliverance in trouble and His strengthening in sickness. The one who gives such care will in turn receive care. This giving brings blessing back upon the giver, with peace and satisfaction in the act itself.
To consider the poor is to give them thoughtful, attentive care, and the one who does so is blessed by God and delivered by the Lord in time of trouble. The promise is enlarged to keeping him alive and blessing him on the earth, guarding him from his enemies and refusing to hand him over to them, and strengthening and sustaining him in sickness. Those to be so considered include widows, fatherless children, the aged, the helpless, and the sick, entrusted to tender stewardship, and their care is ministering to the afflicted and needy by comforting the despondent, visiting the sick, and giving to those in need, a work each church is to do. Such care is practical faithful service that meets God's requirements, and mercy to the suffering is joined to God's merciful care in return, so that the giver also receives care and finds peace, satisfaction, and blessing.
Blessing and Deliverance Promised
To consider the poor means to give them thoughtful, attentive care, not casual notice but deliberate kindness that enters into their need. The one who so considers them is blessed by God, and the Lord himself will deliver that person in time of trouble. That deliverance is part of a broader assurance that God preserves and sustains those who meet His requirements in this practical service.
The promise is enlarged in the verses that follow, which add preservation of life to deliverance from trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and will bless him upon the earth. He will protect him from his enemies and will not deliver him over to their will. In sickness He will strengthen and sustain him, upholding him with preserving, sustaining care.
Care for the Poor
The poor to be thoughtfully considered are widows and fatherless children, together with the aged, the helpless, and the sick who still remain in need of care. They are placed by God in the hands of His stewards, entrusted to their mercy and love and tender care, and they are not to be neglected.
To consider them is to minister to those who are afflicted and in need. That ministering takes concrete form in comforting the despondent, visiting the sick, and giving to those in need. This responsibility belongs to each local church in its own place, and no church should leave the whole work to be done by another church.
Such care for people in need is the practical expression of faithful service by which God's requirements are met. Compassionate help given to the suffering is joined to God's preserving and sustaining care for those who show mercy, including His deliverance in trouble and His strengthening in sickness. The one who gives such care will in turn receive care. This giving brings blessing back upon the giver, with peace and satisfaction in the act itself.