This chapter has a variety of themes, so we’ll look at ‘faithfulness”.
“Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.” (v1, 6, 17, 22)
How would you define faithfulness? Would you say it’s loyalty or trustworthiness? To whom should we be faithful? Most people would list themselves, their family, and some would list their god/God. Are we overlooking anyone? How about the poor, the downtrodden, the marginalized, the sojourner, or the stranger? Many passages (including this chapter) commend those who respect, honor and bless the ‘least of these’ (see also Mt 25:31-46).
How are we able to be faithful to those in need? It requires love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. God wants us to foster our relationship with Him – not exclusively for our own personal benefit, but so we can also be faithful to all those who are made in His image (that’s everybody, by the way).
I suggest that one of the best ways to exercise the fruit of the Spirit is to be faithful to those in need, showing them love and kindness like Jesus does. When doing so we not only spread the love of Christ, we are loving Jesus Himself and obeying God’s commandment to love our neighbors. It’s a win-win.
Father God, our Loving and Faithful Lord, You have blessed us richly with the gift of Your Spirit. May we partner with You to faithfully love our neighbors as Jesus would, which in turn shows them our love for You. May ‘the least of these’ be honored and respected as equals, and may our love for them be glorifying to You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training