“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
1 John 3:17-18 (NLT)
Here John gets right to the point and tells us if we see people in need and we don’t help them, how can we really say that we love others? Love is not just about words, but it carries with it “acting,” “getting involved.” Psalm 22:24 (NLT) says, “For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.”
Psalm 22:24 is telling us that God honors the poor in two ways. First, He does not ignore their need, their suffering. Verse 24 says, “He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.” He has not turned and walked away.
Secondly, He has listened to their cry for help. He has heard their prayers. Again verse 24 says, “For He has listened to their cries for help.” I believe it is at this point that He answers their prayers through us. This is really about our responding to His Word. Isaiah 58:7 tells us that we are to divide our bread with the hungry. We are to step up, take action, and meet the needs of those who are in our communities.