“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” (Proverbs 14: 31, New International Version)

Oppression comes in many forms. Poverty, as well, includes more than someone having less money to sustain their existence.

If we are to honor our Maker, God, divine Love itself, being unkind to or shaming or even being blind to one who appears to have less than us, is unacceptable. Behavior that diminishes another or judges him, shows contempt for our Creator, the One Who saw fit to create each one of us and to make us in His own image and likeness—worthy, lovable, good. We can see that any time we sneer at, denigrate, or even poke fun at one who seems in need, we are scorning God, divine Love, our very own Maker and Father-Mother.

Kindness is power and it is substance. When we show kindness toward one in need— whether it be a need for material provision or a need for enlightenment, renewal, joy, understanding—we are honoring God by utilizing His divine Love in ways that humanity can feel and know. This kindness and compassion blesses with God’s own qualities that one who seems in need, and the one expressing that loving care is blessed as well.

We all have times in our lives where we feel a lack. In Truth, our needs are always and already met by God. We are always worthy of knowing and feeling this Truth. The kindness of others and our mercy towards ourselves, begins to fill that need with the one most powerful and necessary thing—Love.

These messages are based on passages from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. These books are our “pastor” in Christian Science. Come back every Tuesday and Thursday for fresh inspiration. Or get a free subscription to receive an inspirational message like this one every morning directly to your inbox by contacting me at lamolitercs@aol.com. Put “subscribe” in the subject line. A downloadable compilation of categorized messages is also available by request.