Topic: Successful People Help the Poor[RICK WARREN Devotional 30 OCTOBER 2024]
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Successful People Help the Poor
by Rick Warren — October 30, 2024
From Unshakable!
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
If you want to live a successful life, the Bible offers some countercultural instruction: Serve the poor!
How can serving the poor help you be successful? The Bible gives numerous reasons. Here are just a few of them:
It will make you happy. “If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; it is a sin to despise anyone” (Proverbs 14:21 GNT).
You’ll honor God. “Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31 NCV).
It will make you a better leader. “Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly” (Proverbs 29:14 MSG).
I’ve seen this in my own life. Some of you know my story. When I wrote The Purpose Driven Life, the book became a huge global success.
And because the first line of the book read, “It’s not about you,” it was pretty easy to realize that any money or influence that came from it wasn’t meant for me. So—among other decisions that we made at the time—my wife, Kay, and I started Acts of Mercy, a foundation to help the poor and the vulnerable suffering with AIDS.
The book’s success was not about me. It was all about God.
Proverbs 31:8-9 particularly spoke to me during this time: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (NIV).
That’s what successful people do. They stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
What kind of success has God given you? Is it money? Is it influence in your community? Is it a supportive circle of friends and family around you? Take some time today to consider how you can use that success to serve those with less.
Talk It Over
- Why is it important for successful people to help the poor and stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves?
- How is it countercultural for successful people to help the poor and needy?
- What can you do to more faithfully help the poor?
Jesus is your unshakable foundation.
Jesus is your salvation, a fortress where you won’t be shaken.
He said, “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life. . . . They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25 MSG).
Jesus’ love is unconditional. He promises to be with you forever. He is the unshakable foundation who will help you become unshakable. But the first step is to accept his promise of salvation.
If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.
“I’m grateful for your unconditional love. I want to use the rest of my life to love and serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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