One of the things my wife Pam and I have tried to do over the years is to find ways to be involved with helping people who are stuck in poverty. We worked for a number of years with our local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds affordable housing. And, for the past several years, we have volunteered three days a week with our local food pantry. The Bible is very clear that we have a responsibility to help poor people. Why? Because God Himself cares about people who are living on the margins. Today's short passage highlights that and then presents some interesting insights. Let's listen to it:

The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern. (Proverbs 29:7)

Have you ever noticed that people like to spend time with others who are just like them and think the same way they think? One of the joys that Pam and I have experienced in the organizations with which we have been involved is getting to know people who do not always think the way we do. They differ politically. They differ socially. They differ theologically. But they have generous hearts and seek to be a blessing to people who truly need a blessing. And in reaching out to the poor, they are demonstrating the love of Jesus. Interestingly, we know some Christians who care very little for the needs of the poor and they don't understand people who do. Today's passage tells us about people who aren't concerned for the rights of the poor and it calls them "wicked." It says, that the wicked don't understand being concerned for poor people. What do you think of that? Did you know that poor people have rights? I'm not talking about Constitutional rights; I'm talking about our debt of love. They have a biblical right to our concern. If you and I are going to be more like Jesus and less like Pharisees we must learn to reach out to help people in financial need. Take a few moments to test yourself against today's passage: "The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern." Which group are you in?