Happiness to Be Able to Help
Scripture Reading — Psalm 41:1-3
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
A compassionate heart is not among the most popular qualities in our world today. If you want to climb to the top, people say, you often have to trample on others. Compassion is considered an attribute of people who are weak. But what does God say about this?
The Bible says, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak.” And this does not mean just thinking about people who are disadvantaged; it means caring about them and doing something about it. People who care are those who open their hearts with the willingness to share what they have with people in need. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion and care as people seek to show God’s love in this world.
We find happiness not when we have everything in our hands but when we share with people in need, giving from our abundance as the Lord has given to us.
The generous person sows happily and reaps the blessed fruit of God’s ongoing favor. God himself multiplies our sowing so that we can continue to give generously. God provides for us and gives us health and strength to do more by spreading his love to others. When we open our hearts, hands, and pockets to share from all that God has given us, we find joy and happiness in giving freely as the Lord gives, without strings attached.
Lord God, help us to open our hearts to care about others and to share from the abundance you have given us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Hernandes Lopes
Hernandes became the Portuguese ministry leader for Today's sister Portuguese ministry in 2010. He also serves as the director of the organization Luz Para o Caminho (Light for the Way), an organization formed in partnership between ReFrame and the Presbyterian
Church of Brazil. Hernandes has authored more than 160 books and is a popular and respected conference speaker in Brazil. Hernandes graduated from Seminário Presbiteriano do Sul in Brazil and earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary in
Jackson, MS.
Hernandes and his wife, Tinha, have two adult children.
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