Having A Heart of Compassion

“He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it” (Proverbs 11:26).
Compassion is a godly characteristic believers should exemplify. In the Gospels, Jesus is frequently said to have been “moved by compassion.” He saw the needs of others and desired to help them. Are we moved by similar compassion, or do we turn a blind eye to the disadvantaged around us? Have we grown so accustomed to the homeless, panhandlers and addicts that we no longer see them as individuals infinitely loved by God, but as menaces to society? Where is our heart of compassion? How have we become so cold? God said we should have “compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (I Peter 3:8). Unfortunately, compassion is also lacking in the Church. Our brothers and sisters in Christ should never have to do without the basic necessities. The essential needs of individual believers should be provided by the corporate body of Christ. “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (I John 3:17). When God has blessed us abundantly, we have a responsibility to share what he has given us with those less fortunate. When the blessed horde their blessings, their selfishness and lack of compassion becomes a stumbling block. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).