The Power Of Giving (As A Nation)
A 12th century Philosopher Maimonides wrote about eight degrees in the duty of charity. "Lastly, the eight and the most merritatrious of all, is to anticipate charity by preventing poverty. Namely, to assist the reduced brother, either by a considerable gift or loan of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding up his hand for charity." This principle of alleviating poverty by facilitating self-sufficiency has been the foundation of the 'Good living condition' in the developed countries resulting to high level of social security.
I was privilege to encounter this comment on an online forum "why do Africa nations depend on Foreigners for charity when they are rich folks present within them (in regards to Forbes Richest black men, amongst others). Are the rich among them blind? Or do they actually ignore the need of their people? Do they know that they will continually be regarded as poor - no matter the amount of money acquired- if they are surrounded by poverty stricken individuals. 'A bush is a bush even if one tree is neatly trimmed'."Anonymous
Why do our prayers as a nation seem unanswered? James 4:3-"you ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." Ecclesiastes 5:10-"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income, this also is vanity." Jeremiah 6:13-"for from the least to the greatest of 'them', everyone is greedy for unjust gains. And from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely." Mark 12:40-"they devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severally."
Luke 14:13-"but when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind." James 2:2-6-"suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'there is a seat for you' but say to the poor man, 'You! Stand here' or 'sit on the floor by my feet', have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts. Listen, my dear brothers: As not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones dragging you into court." Proverbs 22:16-"he who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who give gifts to the rich- both come to poverty." Proverbs 21:13-"if a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he will cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 17:5-"he who mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker, whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished."

In conclusion, 1 john 3:17-18-"if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, lets us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."


*Bible quotes according to NASV, ESV and NIV.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5