James 2:1-13, COMPASSION vs. indifference (3)

We are discovering good reasons to be compassionate.

iii)      Matt. 5:7; Prov. 28:27: Being merciful to others will bring mercy to you as well.  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.  Again, He who gives to the poor will not lack. It’s the “law of the harvest” applied to compassion.

iv)   Prov. 14:21; 22:9: Compassion brings happiness.  He who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.  Again, he who has a generous eye will be blessed.

v)            Prov. 14:31: Along with personal reward, we know that he who honors Him (the LORD) has mercy on the needy.  Compassion honors God!

d)    Let’s turn the question around.  What good reasons are there for not ignoring the needs of the needy?

i)      James 2:13; Prov. 21:13: Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.  That is quite a strong statement.  Further, Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard.  Judgment is not just referring to our standing before Christ; we may experience it in this lifetime.

ii)   Prov. 17:5; 22:22-23: Ignoring the needs of the needy reproaches their Maker.  God made the poor as He made me.  He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.  And hear this: Do not rob the poor because he is poor, nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; for the LORD will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

e)    Sometimes showing compassion or mercy to the needy person is hard.  We need to be alert to people’s needs and then we must ask God to help us show true compassion.  True compassion, that really helps, is attended by four positive attitudes.

i)      Prov. 24:11-12: Sensitivity to the need.  We cannot simply say “I didn’t know” when we did know!  Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?  What a statement for meditation!

ii)   Matt. 6:2-4: Sincerity in giving to the need.  Jesus was clear: there can be no hypocrisy, no putting on a show for others to see.

iii)            Prov. 15:17: Love.  The needy, and the Lord, know when we are just doing our duty.  Love extends outside the charitable act.  It takes time to talk, to fellowship.  It doesn’t just drop a coin in the cup.

iv) Rom. 12:8: Cheerfulness.  In speaking about spiritual gifts, there is one that has to do with showing mercy.  That gift must be exercised with cheerfulness, not grumbling or complaining.

May I suggest 1 John 3:17 as a verse to memorize.