November 23, 2023: Remember Those In Need

“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49, ESV)

As we quickly approach the holiday season, let us not forget those in need. We don’t often associate the destruction of Sodom with the neglect of the poor and needy. But God did! He declared that her guilt was that she had plenty of food, pride, and prosperous ease, but she did not aid the poor and needy. The Hebrew word for ‘aid’ is a word “that refers to the part of the arm that is used to perform functions of a man’s will.” Sodom had no desire to help. Therefore, she had no will to help. This led to her destruction.
 
To avoid Sodom’s fate, I would suggest that you open your eyes, listen with your ears, and feel with your heart. Let compassion rise when you see another’s lack, hear of their misfortune, or feel the pain of another’s adversity. There is no end to what you can give to during the holidays. But the most meaningful ones are the ones you can give to and secretly admire from a distance the joy your giving brings them.
 
This Thanksgiving and Christmas, let your arm carry out your will by aiding those in need. Don’t let the feelings of excess and prosperous ease trick you into thinking all is well. Be an extravagant giver! And remember, it is not the amount that counts; it’s the measure!