REMEMBER THE POOR by Robert Soto

REMEMBER THE POOR by Robert Soto

February 4, 2010

Proverbs 19:17 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done."

Have they been forgotten? I wonder how many of us remember the poor? Recently we were all shocked by that horrible earthquake in Haiti. Our hearts were moved with emotion as thousands died and thousands were left homeless and thousands of children were left orphaned. We watched in horror, wondering what we could do to help the destitution of these people. A lot of us did nothing while others gave of their great abundance, and some gave of their poverty. Churches and other non-profit organizations pleaded for help and people gave. Most of us just did nothing - after all, that was far away and they have nothing to do with us. We made excuses like "What can one person do?" I guess we are all guilty and made whatever excuse we could muster up to not help.

Today, I got a call from my Tribal Chairman. He shared a story with me about the granddaughter of one of our tribal council members. She is in Girl Scouts and needed to complete a project for her next rank. She was so moved with compassion by the tragedy in Haiti that she asked her leader if she could raise money to help the poor people that were affected by the earthquake. In a couple of weeks, by herself, she managed to raise almost $12,000. Now she is looking for and finding water and food to help the thirsty and hungry. What can one person do if they make up their mind to do something? They can do and accomplish a lot. God the Creator will remember her act of kindness. It was Solomon who wrote, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." We do not have to go to Haiti to find the poor. The poor are right in your neighborhood.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church

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