Psalm 112:6-9
“They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.” vs. 9
In discussing the attributes of the righteous, the psalmist includes some reflections on how they will be remembered. While folks in those years probably had no strong hope of an afterlife, he does believe that deeds of righteousness would not be forgotten, that they would endure forever. And these many years later, we who live in the light of Christ’s resurrection can give a strong “Amen!” to that sentiment. Our deeds do make a difference…they become our legacy for future generations. And what works of ours have persistent value? The psalmist defines them precisely. It’s our generosity that persists. Those who have distributed their wealth freely, those who have given to the poor, are the ones who are a blessing to those who come after. They are the ones who will be exalted. Jesus certainly hammered that message home in his teaching ministry. He calls people who spend their lives in accumulating wealth rich fools, and no matter how much we try to ignore those sayings, the truth remains, we take nothing with us to the next life! Our call then as disciples is to act as distributors of wealth, and not as hoarders. And we do the distribution, not to get our name on a building, but to insure that the poor are not forgotten. In God’s economy blessings are always intended to be shared.
Thought for the Day: How will the distribution of my estate benefit the poor?
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