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Here we read a proverb that relates to humanity and salvation. A person despises their neighbor thru selfishness. Selfishness, greed and pride all go together. When a person is entirely concerned about themselves this leaves no room to love or care for their neighbor and it is a sign that they are unsaved and awaiting judgement from Jesus:
" "Then He will also say to those on His left, `Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.' "Then they themselves also will answer, `Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?' "Then He will answer them, `Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' " (Matthew 25:41-45) nas.
The second part of our parable tells us that happy is he who is merciful and has mercy on the poor. When Jesus gave the sermon on the mount in the beatitudes He taught that those who are merciful will be shown mercy. A true child of God will have mercy on the spiritually poor first, but also for the physically poor and oppressed and will be happy knowing that this is evidence of salvation in the hope of a glorious eternity in heaven with the LORD. Dear friend, are you merciful, even to the least of your neighbors? :
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee." (Psalm 41:1-4).
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