Why does God allow so many of His children to be poor? He could make them all rich if He wanted. He could leave bags of gold at their doors, provide a large annual income, or surround their homes with abundance, just as He did for Israel with quails and heavenly bread. There is no need for poverty, except that He sees it as best. 'The cattle on a thousand hills are His,' and He could supply them.

He could make the rich, the great, and the powerful lay their riches at His children's feet, for He controls all hearts. But He chooses not to. He allows them to experience want and live in obscurity. Why? One reason is to give those of us who have enough a chance to show our love for Jesus.

We show our love to Christ when we sing and pray, but if there were no needy people, we'd miss the opportunity to show love by giving to His poorer children. He has decided this is how we prove our love—not in words alone, but in deeds and truth. If we truly love Christ, we will care for those He loves. Those dear to Him will be dear to us. Let's view it not as a duty but a privilege to help the poor among the Lord's people, remembering Jesus' words, 'Inasmuch as you've done it to one of the least of these my brethren, you've done it to me.' This sweet assurance and strong motive should lead us to help others with willing hands and loving hearts, knowing that all we do for His people is graciously accepted by Christ as done to Himself.