Consider the poor
Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; – Psalms 41:1-2
Do you consider the poor? I must admit, I never gave it much thought—even when I was poor myself. Back then, I believed that if I worked hard enough, I wouldn’t be poor anymore. I used to think that people who were struggling were in that position because of their poor decisions or the way they viewed life. But eventually, I realized that it didn’t matter why someone was in poverty. If I could help someone in need, I should, regardless of the circumstances or choices that put them there. I now know that God loved me even when I was making bad decisions and living in lack, and He loves everyone in a bad situation, no matter how they got there.
In Psalms 41, it says that those who consider the poor are blessed. But it doesn’t stop there—it goes on to describe the blessings that come from such compassion. The Lord promises to deliver those who help the poor in times of trouble, preserve their lives, and bless them on the earth. The Psalm even says that God will not allow those who care for the poor to be delivered into the hands of their enemies. Even when they’re sick or struggling, God will strengthen and restore them. These are wonderful promises and further reasons to take this message to heart and consider the poor.
So, what does it mean to “consider the poor”? It’s more than just giving money or material support. It’s about truly seeing people, understanding their struggles, and offering compassion without judgment. It’s about reflecting God’s love—His unconditional love—by offering help, even when we don’t fully understand someone’s situation. When we consider the poor, we line ourselves up with God’s heart, and in return, He blesses us with protection, strength, and His favor.
There was a time when compassion and truly considering the poor was something I struggled with. It was a season where I was preoccupied with my own life—my needs, my problems, my stuff. I realize now that I was walking through life with blinders on, unaware of the pain and hardship happening all around me. However, since that time the Holy Spirit has shown me how to be more intentional about noticing those in need. I now have a plan in place to be more aware of the hurting people God places in my path.
I’ll never forget a moment that marked a change in my heart. I came across a young man holding a sign that read, “Homeless and Hungry.” In my mind, I wondered if this was a scam or a situation that was self-inflicted. I asked the Lord, silently, if this was a moment where I should give. I felt prompted by His Spirit to give, and in obedience, I did. Normally, I like to offer words of encouragement or share a scripture, but this time, the giving was meant for me. The moment I handed over the money, compassion hit my heart like never before. I was overwhelmed by the pain this man was experiencing. Whether his situation was self-inflicted or not didn’t matter. He was lost and suffering, just as I once was. I realized, at that moment, how deeply God loved him. God loves this man so much that He sent His own Son to die for him, just as He did for you and me.
Maybe you’ve had similar thoughts when seeing someone along the road holding a sign—wondering why they aren’t working or taking care of their own business. Maybe you’ve even seen the poor as burdensome or someone who takes up too much space. Even if you haven’t voiced those thoughts aloud, it’s possible there’s a gap in your heart that needs to be filled with God’s love and compassion for the poor. The good news is—it’s never too late. You can start today by asking God to open your heart to those around you who need a blessing. And in return, receive His blessings back into your life.
Today, I encourage you to consider the poor—not for why or how they came to be in that situation, but because they are precious to our Heavenly Father. Be reminded of God’s heart for the poor and the blessings He promises to those who consider them. It’s not about judging why someone is in a difficult situation, but about responding with the same grace and compassion that God shows us all. Whether through a small act of kindness or a thoughtful word of encouragement, you can be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. As you step into this calling, God promises to strengthen, protect, and bless you. Today, ask God to open your eyes to the struggles of those around you and fill your heart with His love, so you can be a blessing to others—knowing that in doing so, you will also experience His abundant blessings. Start now and watch how God moves through your willingness to care for others.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 41
1 Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.
3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
4 I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”
5 My enemies speak evil of me: “When will he die, and his name perish?”
6 And if he comes to see me, he speaks lies; His heart gathers iniquity to itself; When he goes out, he tells it.
7 All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt.
8 “An evil disease,” they say, “clings to him. and now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.”
9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
10 But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them.
11 By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
The Daily Dose 