Some of these posts become longer as I got in my groove in the summer of ‘23, so they don’t need intros as much as the older ones did. I will say, though: not taking words as the proverbial face value and really looking at what they mean, what they’re actually trying to tell you is a habit that I’m always trying to cultivate, and I would definitely recommend going to the trouble. Tl;dr there’s more than one kind of poor.

Here is the post from June 13, 2023.

“👟 RSD 1141 ✅ “But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.” — Luke 11:41

So, I didn’t have to work very hard to find this one. When you read things about giving to the poor, people go, “Of course—canned food drives, fundraisers.” And, YES, that is all VERY much needed in our community (especially in this economy), and we should all do this as we can.

But, I think it’s important to note that a person can be poor in way more ways than financially. The Message translation uses language like, “turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out.” New English Translation uses, “give from your heart to those in need”; KJV uses, “give alms”; God’s Word translation says, “Give what is inside as a gift.” Luke 11:40 says, “Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?” Giving from the heart, giving from the soul, however we can—that’s the vibe we need.

Poor in health: sign up for a meal train, or offer to run errands for a neighbor or friend who is hurt or sick. Poor in finance: that’s giving food, money, clothes, furniture, etc to help people get on the right side of advantage; it could even be picking up the check for the person behind you in a drive through just to give somebody a treat (again, the economy sucks). Poor in spirit: here’s where I think we have the most opportunities. Tell someone who’s taking a million orders at a restaurant that they’re doing a good job. Tell the mail carrier, “Hey, I appreciate it.” Check on people. Someone was having a hard time like a month ago? Text them to let them know that you’re still thinking of them. Coworker stressed out? Put a nice note on their desk for them to walk into tomorrow (maybe put some chocolate with it too).

One of my favorite book quotes (couldn’t find the text, so I’m using this version from the 2005 movie) is from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” when the family is talking to Charlie about finding the golden ticket. Grandpa George advised him that “There’s plenty of money out there. They print more every day. But this ticket—there are only five of them in the whole world, and that’s all there’s ever going to be”, and he advises this despite the family’s continual financial strain: I think that’s why I like the quote so much. So, giving to the poor doesn’t start or stop at money, and I think, if we look hard enough, we can find a way to “give what is inside as a gift.””