Dwight Fletcher | Cultivate a sensitive heart

Giving to the poor and those in need is dear to God’s heart, and is an integral part of the demonstration of our faith. We, therefore, need to be deliberate in growing in our sensitivity to the needs of others. This is an area that requires focus. We need to reorder our lives to make God’s priorities our priorities. Throughout the scriptures, God demonstrates to us His sensitivity to the needs of people. His Spirit will, therefore, lead and point us to these needs; we just need to be sensitive.

This will not always be convenient.

For example, when Christ fed the 5,000 people who were following Him, the incident took place at an inconvenient time. Jesus and His disciples had been ministering all day and didn’t get a chance to eat. Jesus told them,“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 (NIV). Additionally, Jesus had just heard that John the Baptist, his cousin, had been beheaded and He was mourning His loss.“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Matthew 14:13 (NIV). But the people followed Him there, and the Bible says that when Jesus saw them, He had compassion on them. Jesus ministered to them and then recognised that the people had not eaten and were hungry. Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed them. God has always been sensitive to the needs of people. We too ought to be sensitive to the needs of others.

BE INTENTIONAL

Proverbs 14:20-21 reminds us that, “Even his own neighbours despise the poor man, while the rich have many friends. But to despise the poor is to sin. Blessed are those who help them.” Helping the poor is a blessing in our lives, and is the perfect gift for Jesus. We have to be deliberate to look and see what is happening with the persons around us. Ask questions in a prudent way, when necessary. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”Proverbs 19:17 (NIV).

“Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.” Proverbs 21:13 (NIV). We will reap what we sow. Those who sow love in action into the lives of others, will receive rewards in return. Those who do not sow through giving to the poor, deprive themselves of receiving when they are in need.

Christmas is the season of giving. We give because Jesus Christ gave to us first. This Christmas let us be deliberate about it. Give a gift fit for the King by being sensitive to those around us. This kind of effort is something we need to practice doing. If it doesn’t come naturally, we need to be intentional and double our efforts because it pleases our Lord when we do it. We must make charity a part of our lives. When we give, we have to also ensure that the dignity of the persons we are giving to remains intact. We should only give what we would take. “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 (NLT).