Sandi Hester

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.  Proverbs 21:13

Recently I have been memorizing scripture on the poor.  I was inspired to paint this picture from one of the verses I was memorizing.  I just got back from a mission trip to Brazil and saw poverty around every corner.  I am so thankful for the blessing of seeing the nations and having my eyes opened over and over to what life is like around the world.  Where we worked in Brazil, fresh sewage ran freely down the streets and between houses.  Kids jumped in streams of raw sewage like they were jumping in a fresh puddle of rain.  Life is simple there.  I wonder how much bigger God is to you when you depend on Him for literally everything.  I saw His provision all over the place.  Fresh fruit drips from just about every tree.  Natural resources are abundant there.  God shines His face on the poor – He is faithful to provide.

Here are the other verses concerning the poor that I’ve been memorizing:

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the poor honors God.  Proverbs 14:31

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.  Proverbs 19:17

If there is a poor man among your brothers…do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.  Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.  Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.  There will always be poor people in the land.  Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.  Deuteronomy 15:7-11