BLESSED IS HE THAT CONSIDERS THE POOR AND NEEDY - D'Genius

Ogar Sunday

Any material favour done to assist the needy triggered by the motive of charity is alms-giving. It is giving willingly, generously & even at our own expense to the poor and less privileged. Evidently, alms-giving implies much more than the transmission of some temporal commodity to the indigent. According to the creed of political economy every material deed rendered by man to benefit his needy brother is alms-giving. Likewise the creed of Christianity, which implies material services rendered to the poor for Christ sake. This is why the inspired psalmist said blessed is he that considers the poor and needy.

"Truly I tell you whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me" Matt 25:45.
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.  If you do you will have no reward from your father in heaven". Matt 6:2-4 made us to understand that we should not announce or display our generosity or goodness to others. Our Father who sees your charitable deeds in secret will reward you, for God loves a cheerful giver.

As we approach the end of this Lenten season, we are called to always help those around us: our next door neighbour, that poor widow, those little kids, our friends, brothers and sisters. For they were hungry you feed them, naked you clothed them, sick or in prison, u visited them.
You can visit those organizations (orphanage homes, good Samaritans homes or motherless baby homes) or donate to charity societies within the church to assist the poor. An act of goodwill no matter how small goes a long way.

Heb. 13:2, "do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained Angels unawares".
Luke 11: 41 “rather give as alms what is inside and then everything will be clean for u”. The outward & inward giving of alms places d primary focus on the motive behind it which is LOVE.
Remember the seven (7) corporal works of mercy
1. To feed the hungry
2. To cloth the naked
3. To give drink to the thirsty
4. To visit the sick
5. To shelter the homeless
6. To visit the imprisoned
7. To bury the dead
Also the spiritual works of mercy
1. To counsel the doubtful
2. To comfort the sorrowful
3. To instruct the ignorant
4. To admonish the sinner
5. To heal all injuries
6. To bear wrongs patiently
7. To pray for the living and the dead

Many poor people are too timid or naive to approach potential Alms-giver or charity home. On the other hand under serving mendicants and professional beggars easily extort aids which are primarily not meant for them. This is why the bible admonished the Christian fold to consider the needy around them, church members, family members friends and those alike. For at the last day we shall all be accountable for our deeds.

Remember "It is more blessed to give than to receive" and also "givers never lack". You don't have to own a vault for you to give, even a smile and a valuable time shared with the poor and needy is an act of charity.

~~Our lady Handmaid of the Lord Presidium~~
#Oluchi Sunday
#Ogar D'Genius Sunday