Pro 19:17 | KingComments | STEP | When someone “is gracious to a poor man”, it is a form of lending to the LORD (cf. ). Money given away to a poor person is not lost. God sees it as a loan to Him; it is seen by Him as being “gracious”. He will repay the loan, the “good deed” abundantly. Those who take care of the poor thereby demonstrate a characteristic of God, Who is a gracious, compassionate God ( ; ). The presence of the poor among God’s people is a test for the rich ( ). Our response to their presence shows whether there is faith or not ( ). Those who take care of the poor are doing a “good deed”, an act called “your righteousness” by the Lord Jesus ( ). The Lord adds that this should not be done in front of people’s eyes, not even in order to make oneself feel good, but that it should be done “in secret”. Those who give in this way receive from Him the promise: “And your Father Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” God blesses the generosity of one of His own with His generosity. The promise of a reward does not necessarily mean a repayment of what has been given. If it were that alone, it could be seen as the repayment of a favor. It is about a reward that expresses appreciation. When God rewards something, it is much more than repaying what has been given. He will give the compassionate person a deeper sense of the richness of life with Him. No amount of money or gold can compete with this.

‏ Proverbs 19:17

Who Is Gracious to a Poor Will Be Rewarded

When someone “is gracious to a poor man”, it is a form of lending to the LORD (cf. Mt 25:40). Money given away to a poor person is not lost. God sees it as a loan to Him; it is seen by Him as being “gracious”. He will repay the loan, the “good deed” abundantly. Those who take care of the poor thereby demonstrate a characteristic of God, Who is a gracious, compassionate God (Psa 116:5; Isa 49:10 ; Isa 54:10).

The presence of the poor among God’s people is a test for the rich (Deu 15:7-11). Our response to their presence shows whether there is faith or not (Jam 2:14-17). Those who take care of the poor are doing a “good deed”, an act called “your righteousness” by the Lord Jesus (Mt 6:1-4). The Lord adds that this should not be done in front of people’s eyes, not even in order to make oneself feel good, but that it should be done “in secret”. Those who give in this way receive from Him the promise: “And your Father Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” God blesses the generosity of one of His own with His generosity.

The promise of a reward does not necessarily mean a repayment of what has been given. If it were that alone, it could be seen as the repayment of a favor. It is about a reward that expresses appreciation. When God rewards something, it is much more than repaying what has been given. He will give the compassionate person a deeper sense of the richness of life with Him. No amount of money or gold can compete with this.