Obey the Lord’s Promptings

Published: June 16, 2020, 7 a.m.

I wasn’t even a teenager when my dad died, leaving my mom a widow. All too soon our family was financially destitute. The Lord always provided, but I have to wonder whether some of the people around us ignored God’s clear promptings. We became so desperately poor that sometimes we had only a loaf of bread and a tomato to eat for dinner. In biblical times, loving your neighbor meant giving on a regular basis to the poor, especially widows and orphans. First, by inviting them to join your family for every holiday feast [Deut. 16:10-14]. Second, by sharing part of your wealth with them as part of your tithes and offerings [Deut. 26:12-13]. In the Gospels, Jesus and His disciples gave financial gifts to the poor regularly and routinely. It’s what all godly, good-hearted Jewish people did.  Sadly, however, the poor widow of Mark 12:41-44 had been neglected by relatives and overlooked by neighbors. All she had left were two mites. In her utter poverty, she gave all she had to the Lord at the temple. When the Lord prompts you to financially share generously, don’t ignore it. Instead, do what Jesus Himself did repeatedly. Open your wallet and give to those in need. They will be blessed and so will you. I have experienced this all through my life. This is Luis Palau.