Focus Your Pittance

(Psa 41:1 KJV)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

As I breezed through this the first time I thought that “considers” (7919a) had a picture of someone sitting, looking wise and stroking their beard.  It turns out that the word is essentially to be prudent, not just thoughtful.  We are surrounded by people who love to tug our heartstrings for the poor and needy.  We should be doing what we can to help them but the buzzword here is prudence, not sympathy.

If you are one of those independently wealthy people who don’t need to worry about budgeting or priorities then rejoice as you give $1,000 to a needy cause and don’t bother asking yourself if $999 will go to pay a six figure executive.  Give away.  I am not in that boat.  I need to be a steward, which means prudence.  I need to ask myself, “Should I give my pittance to a drug addict begging in front of the 7-11 or would it be better to pass it on to the family at church that is having a hard time providing Christmas for their children.  The answer is obvious to me.

So?  Stewardship is more than giving.  It involves giving wisely.  Give.  Wisely.