“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”

There are a few verses in the Bible that really haunt me, Proverbs 21:13 is one (along with Ezekiel 16:49-50; Matthew 7:21-23, and others…).  What I’m hearing here is that if I ignore the plight of the poor, God will ignore me in my time of need.

In America, the land of opportunity, we tend to excuse our inaction regarding the poor based on some sort of moral superiority or label of laziness.  And indeed, there are some that refuse to help themselves and prefer to receive a handout.  But I’m afraid that I have used these excuses to become arrogant, overfed and unconcerned.  Woe to me!!

Praise be to God that He does hear the cries of the poor and of a faithful Pastor who has made it his life mission to feed his sheep spiritually and physically.  God has given Mfundisi Thwala the discernment to find those who are in the most need and has called out to the other side of the world to brothers and sisters who are able (yet not always willing) to meet those needs. 

As I sat on the side the mountain in KwaZulu Natal, it occurred to me that if Jesus were to walk up today, it would be here - among the smiles and laughter of people who seemingly have nothing and yet are willing to give everything to help their neighbor.  Jesus lived his life here on earth among the poor and meek and called them blessed. 

I don’t know why we have the poor, but Jesus said it would always be this way – I guess maybe because of our brokenness, but maybe also to test those to whom much has been given.  Lord, help me to always hear those cries so that in the end it might go well with me and to also remember that it is You who has given me the ability to produce wealth and not the power and strength of my hands.   

-Sala kahle

Valerie