God could be our debtor (Invest in God the Almighty)

Dear Jesus, our Lord and Savior, please help us help the poor among us. Please open our hearts so that we change our personal lives to be part of the Love and Care that you are pleased with.

He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him - Proverbs 19:17

I would like to pray to God so that we get blessed with a profound admiration and an affected life for this Bible verse. Following are my thoughts on this.

What is the meaning of the word poor and the word lend?

I do hope God will help us understand the meaning of the word "poor" from God's dictionary, and not from the dictionary of our own mind or from a different source that are outside of God. Here please add the thoughts God has given or giving you at this moment on this.

Also giving means not just giving money, although God knows its value when one do so. It is mostly in giving our love and life to them in need.

The poor do not need our sympathy and our pity. The poor need our love and compassion. They give us much more than we give them. - Mother Theresa

Lending it to God (Who are we lending to?).  

By now I hope you understand that we are discussing about helping the poor irrespective of who they are (, that is whether strangers or relatives or friends). First of all, lending (or giving back) to God is not simply like lending to anyone else, that is any human being, in this world. As an illustration, in order to understand this better, let us take an infinitely scaled down example. Suppose we end up giving a small material help, that we can easily afford to give, to some person who was in need at that moment of time. Let us say this person that we helped happened to be the son of a huge wealthy man. Let us also say that we were not aware of this fact when we did extend our care and help. Well, generally speaking, the wealthy man, sooner or later, will learn about the (value of the) help that we offered to his son. For a favor, relatively petty to his wealth, that we  offered to his son in time of his need, most probably we will get a royal treatment as a favor in return. And the rich man, if he is good, will not stop at this but also would not hesitate to repay us abundantly in larger proportions. After all, if these dispositions would be the traits of a wealthy man, a mere human being, then can you possibly imagine the reward or the repayment from God the Almighty who is the Good, owns and has all the treasures of the universe at His disposal. These thoughts are not given here in order to to make us to help the poor by keeping our eyes on some return or repayment. We ought to help without thinking about the reward. 
These words are just given so that the real meaning of giving to the poor is actually nothing but lending to the loving God. 

Investment in general (Where do we like to invest nowadays?)

What does this world and its progress has taught us in the aspect of money and investment? By income, we are talking about money. In order to invest our income in, we (our mind) seriously search for (and analyze so much to find) places or things where we can get better and trustworthy returns (in and for our future life). Some examples that could be mentioned along this line are like the banks with better interest rates, shares/stocks with better reliability, mutual funds, lands, gold, retirement plans, businesses, etc.

We simply forget (or fail to realize) that God - who is infinitely wealthy, infinitely kind, infinitely mighty, infinitely considerate, etc. - is in Love with us and is in control. (Of course, one needs to have a strong and child-like faith in the Creator in order to realize this). 
If God lets us do something that is not in compliance with His will and not according to His pleasing, then it is just because of His Love and Mercy, and certainly neither because he is sleeping nor because he is not in control. God loves us. That is why He does not pull the plug when we do some wrong things. God does not forget and does not miss to see anything that we do here. I feel very sad sometimes that it is a necessity to quote a bible verse to justify a simple fact of life. Anyways, here are some Bible verses that is about God's omnipresence.

The Lord beholdeth the ways of man, and considereth all his steps. Proverbs 5:21
The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil. Proverbs 15:3
Shall a man be hid in secret places, and I not see him, saith the Lord? do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord? Jeremiah 23:24

To a Christian or any God-lover regardless of their beliefs or religion, God invites to invest in Him. So let us just present a question. Why not invest with God? 
I think the degree of our (willingness to do) investment in God is directly proportional to our realization of God in our daily lives. 

As a matter of fact, wouldn't we feel ashamed of being (or grown to be) in a state that requires soliciting and marketing to get called to invest in the very noble God who loves and sustains us every moment of our life or on whom every second of our very life dependeth? Deaf and blind aren't we?

Again, should we even need to mention that our God's repayment will certainly fulfill us? Actually, we cannot possibly have a vessel big enough to receive the favors returned back by God to us. I could not humanly imagine the generosity of God (who is the author of all virtues including generosity) who would repay or reward to even a tiny benevolent act of charity. Because everything is naked in the eyes of God (Hebrews 4:13).

There is a related verse in the Bible (that invites us to, and helps us to learn where, we need to invest). Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also. Mathew 6 [19-22]

Am I able to see or feel the need of Charity?

Most of the times, I personally fail to see this need. As a result, even though I have extra money or assets sometimes, I would prefer using or spending it on some pleasure, or prefer to save it for an unknown future, or even to upgrade/enhance my current assets. I guess most of us are like me. To complicate the matter further, I might sometimes be gladly spending on the paycheck that I have not yet received.

Why am I like this? In one way it springs forth from the way I feel about my income and assets. Yes, let me talk about my income. "I" went for school and college; "I" got the job; "I" do the work; "I" put "my" time on the work. "I" struggle hard. So, it is "my" life. It is "my" family. If the "I" and the "my" part is filled everywhere in my heart, then the way everything that we have is going to be justified and spent will be on the same "I" and the "my" part. 

Some will question why should not one spend on his or her family more than giving it to someone in need. It is a good thing to support oneself and one's family. But how much is enough and/or pleasing to God?

Another factor here is the amount of faith and relationship I have in God as opposed to the faith and relationship on the worldly things like job, status, caste, wealth, car, home, privacy, secrecy, pleasure, vacation, etc. Which one would I prefer if it comes between God and one of these things? (Please read this Bible verse Mathew 25:31 thru 46) I hear myself immediately saying - Hah, I would certainly prefer God (similar to how St. Peter quickly exclaimed back on a certain occasion). 

Just for example, if our beloved God would appear to me saying or asking - "Hi son, it is Me. You see there, a different and a better phone. Would you be glad to do my wish instead of upgrading your current phone to this better one?" That is like giving me the answer to a problem and saying solve it. In the actual world, the situations that we encounter are not very simple like this. However, the degree of simplicity in understanding these questions, and replying with an answer that pleases God, is proportional to the degree of our love in God. Or to be more precise, it is proportional to the degree of our yielding realization of His love in and for us, because He is love.

I should also remind to myself another side of life. Many who struggle and work hard to get something, do not get what they want despite of all their sweat. We know that, only few get what they work for. This tells us that whatever we have gotten back is just not only because we are blessed to do the work, but also because it was chosen by God, at whose disposal the riches are, to be offered to us. 

Secrecy is the salt to charity or alms-giving

Another thing to watch for, is the secretiveness in doing charity. Most of the things that God would desire to see are the things that we do when it is not intended to be noticed by anyone else. This is how I personally feel and hope you would agree the same.

Related verses, Lord Jesus says:
But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. Mathew 6:3

It is a choice that I could make. To whom, I want my things to be visible or to reach - to God the Loving & Mighty or to fellow humans. Changing the coin to the other side, that is in other words - From whom I want my rewards or answers to come from? - from God the mighty or from other fellow humans.

The moment it is not secret, whether intentionally or unintentionally, many things will start to make appearance (or come on the way) either in order to take the credit for myself for that act, or to enable me to expect unfair appreciations. As a result, we may end up dealing against pride, vainglory, disappointment, misinterpretations, etc.

In other words, we have to do any charity with as much secrecy as possible for the following reasons: We know for sure, by our faith in God, that whatever I have is from Him; If I get caught by others when doing so, most probably, they would praise or credit me instead, which is wrong.

For lending to God, it takes (a child-like) faith and (a mother-like) love. Whereas, for lending (just) to a human, things like expectation, calculation of rewards/returns, vainglory, and other similar things, are enough. 

How much to Give and what to Give?

It is like the poor widow who was mentioned in the Bible. Quantity wise, she offered a lot less compared to many others. But our Lord Jesus assured that she offered the most. In this case, the degree of sacrifice and faith she had, has been hidden from the human eyes and their appreciation. Or in other words, how important is the quantity that I give (up) does matter to the real quality of my offering. To put it simply, this kind of act shows my love and faith in God. God looks into the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). This question actually has to be put this way.

How much would I offer in order to be with my ultimate treasure which is my beloved God? Following is answer in our Lord's own words that is straight and not hard to understand.

In Mathew 13:44, it says - The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Although the above verse is with respect to seeking the kingdom of heaven in general, it also applies to charity because it is also one of the main means to show Love on our God.

Charity is more pleasing to God than any other religious acts

Helping the poor and needy, especially done in the love of God, is more pleasing to God as opposed to fasting and other pious/devotional acts. In the book of Isiah, when people complain to God that He is not listening to their cries or acknowledging their religious acts like fasting and all. Dear friends, we have to learn that God replies this way.

Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen? loose the bands of wickedness, undo the bundles that oppress, let them that are broken go free, and break asunder every burden. Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harbourless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh - Isiah chapter 58 6 onwards

Charity is undeniably one of the best of the best ways to Love and thank God

As said by our Lord Jesus Christ, the whole Christian relationship with God can be summarized on the following two commandments. 

Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. - Mathew 22:36-40

With respect to the second commandment from the above Bible verse, if there is a difference between the love that I have on myself and the love that I have on my neighbor, then tell me my dear friend, does not it mean that I am not correctly following the commandment.

 

 

 

An example of charity:  

When I was working in an organization, I knew a security guard, who had an occasional habit of drinking. He was a temporary worker and so was not earning enough to support his family. In general, in the environment we were working, it was hard to find anyone to help anyone else. No one helped him in general. Some would simply take up the reason that he has the habit of drinking and so not help. On one occasion, the poor security guard asked me for some money to buy some groceries. I told this to my work manager (my spiritual guide) and sought help about this situation. He decided to go meet this security guard at his house and analyze the situation. My guide took couple days to analyze to a certain extent. And we found out what he needs. We ended up buying a bike for him and also purchased groceries. I left the place shortly after.

You would also have been blessed by our Loving God to know or hear of or have done similar charity acts.

 

Some arguments against charity

Generally, when it comes to offering help to someone, my wise mind argues with me so much against it. I would like to present few such arguments here. Please feel free to meditate on your own.

1. The person asking for help might be doing some trick to steal

Let us say we have to help, through the internet, the people who are suffering from a natural disaster on the other side of the earth. With little research, we will find out, it is better to help them through a non-profit, well established and well known organization.  

After all our sincere efforts to understand the need, if we are tricked to give alms to a false person or organization, it is very very important to understand that we did not do anything wrong and we did not certainly lose anything. This is absolutely true as long as we do the best we can to avoid such situation. Moreover, our intention was good. And we did our best and God knows this. The burden or the sin is rather on the one who cheated or tricked us. It is better for me to take this matter as simple as this and forget about the rest. We might also have learned some lesson in order to avoid this in future and similar occasions. 

As a result, we might judge ourselves and say we are inept in doing charity and so it is better not to do charity in order not to lose money. One should not encourage these kind of thoughts, that appears under the veil of unnecessary smartness or unfounded doubts, to block our act of benevolence. A good prayerful heart will be guided by the Holy Spirit and Angels in identifying our extra assets and to help others in the right way.

I knew a pious elderly person, who I consider as my life guide. He had a separate bank account to help the needy. He sets up automatic deduction of a certain amount of his salary into that account. He was on the constant lookout for the needy. Once he find such a person, he spends enough time to analyze the person's situation. I have found him visiting their house few times or talking with them on different occasions. Then this guide goes to help them using his charity account. Well, let us pray to God to give us grace to be like him. His account is certainly an investment account which is opened in the bank of the Heaven.

2. Those in need are lazy people and do not deserve to be helped

This may be rarely true. With some little analysis in true sincerity, we will be helped by God to see the truth. 
However, if there is a poor or a needy person in front of me, in appearance and claim, does it mean that he or she is really poor and/or needy? If it is an emergency, I shall always act on what I see and learn at that moment. If I am a real considerate person who wants to help, I would take some reasonable time to analyze the situation and help. Cheaters are there, but not everyone are.
Mathew 18:7 For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.

3. Well, it does not seem that helping is necessary after all!!!

Yeah, to my knowledge, even though I did not take part in charity, I had not done anything bad to anyone else. That seems sufficient for me to be a Christian or a human being. Would not leading a life that does not harm anyone not enough?

Related verses:
And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess everlasting life? Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Honour thy father and mother.  Who said: All these things have I kept from my youth. Which when Jesus had heard, he said to him: Yet one thing is wanting to thee: sell all whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. He having heard these things, became sorrowful; for he was very rich. Luke 18 (some of the lines were omitted only for brevity)

In Mathew 25:31-46, God, on the final judging day, says to the people on the right hand side - Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in. (some of the text were omitted only for brevity. Please click on the link to read the complete text). So it is necessary for us to act and do deeds on the "love one another" part of the commandment.

4. You know, I am not that rich to help others?

Sometimes this could be true if I do not even have or if I am not able to meet my bare necessities with my income. We are not talking about the people who are in this kind of situation. 

For others like me, aren't we made blind by our reliance on the standards of the world?

Suppose my case is not like this, then why would I feel this way? I may be greedy and all I aim is to be rich. Or is it because I compare myself with wealthier people or is it because I am not content with what I have? Let us say that I am a reasonably wealthy person. And where ever I live, I am among the equally wealthy people and do not see any poor or needy around myself. Now, I can argue and say "I do not see any opportunity to offer help". Well, we should not forget the fact that most of us are born and brought up from a lesser wealthy or from a poor family. But we voluntarily sought a wealthy place, thrived to reach there and have been blessed to be there. This is how we struggled to attain a temporary worldly wealth or rich. Then how much more are we ought to strive to attain the eternal and everlasting wealth. So, we are obliged to find a place where we would do some charity, which is a blessing offered by God. If we still cannot find a place to do charity, we must submit ourselves to God and ask His help on this matter.

As we do not know of tomorrow, without wasting much time, we should build and spend for eternal treasure. Let us remind us of our Lord Jesus speech: And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and will build greater; and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me, and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thy rest; eat, drink, make good cheer. But God said to him: Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. [Luke 12:16-21]
Is not it true that the degree of effort we make towards charity, very well depends upon the degree of our heart's goodness and bliss there in. Some might think if they have 3 sets of dresses, it is enough. Some may not think that way.  Determining what and how much we really need, in this world, is up to our heart and bliss there in. We would then not acquire anything more than necessary and so we would keep the income to help needy relatives and others and use it for spiritual needs (in other words to build treasures in heaven - Mathew 6:19). Or if our priorities are on loving God and His ways, we would not have spent so much time, in first place, in pursuing such a wealth, but rather would have spent the same time in loving God. Again, the scale in which we measure our basic needs depends on the depth of our love, faith and goodness. Let us also not forget that the true scale or gauge would be our Lord's on our judgement day.

5. I feel sufficient to do what my parents did; I should save for the better future of my children as opposed to giving.

My parents built a home, so I need to do the same. Society does this, so I need to do the same. Whatever society does is what God wishes? Well, what would happen to my kids when they grow up? If I save enough, I can pay for their college tuition. If I do not save enough, what will happen when I am old, and who will take care of me, how can I support my health care?

Most of these are to back up the worst case scenario or to solidify the better quality of future life.The things of the world are filled in our hearts so much that we are blind to the things that are of the Heaven.

I cannot and should not judge or test or suggest anyone else but me on these aspects. This is the truth. Our beloved Almighty God knows what is necessary for me and for you. So let me submit myself and everything of mine to Him so that He guides. 

On the contrary, I would rather be concerned about the following questions. Did my parents love God enough? Should I better my generation in that pursuit? 
Is not God better than the material affairs of the society? Am I serving as an instrument of God's will in the Society? Am I desiring God to use me to bring God's will into the society? Am I serving as a good Heavenly model to my kids? Am I investing in Heaven or God as He wishes rather than as I wish? Am I praying for my final days and its health?

Conclusion

Again there will be thousands of excuses (arguments) that will come into our heart to block us from doing charity. Like, we are not rich enough OR we do not find any needy OR needy does not appear to be needy OR needy might be tricking us OR I need a better car or phone or house, etc. Well, whatever it is, we must submit ourselves to God, love Him more, and should earn His grace to spend time, think across and walk beyond these obstacles. 

Thanks for reading the thoughts that are blessed in me. Please pray for both of us at this moment. 
Well, besides this lengthy flow of thoughts, every time on seeing or hearing this Bible verse, the degree of joy and excitement we get shall be increasing. Let us hope you and myself get blessed by God, to invest in Him by lending Him and to build treasures in the ETERNAL Heaven.

He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him - Proverbs 19:17 (Douay-Rheims)