Do you watch award shows?  Did you watch the Golden Globes on Sunday night?  I’m personally MUCH more likely to watch the CMA awards than the Oscars, Emmys, or Golden Globes, but all of the “red carpet” award shows have one thing in common:   Much of the glamorous jewelry and clothing worn by the “stars” does not belong to them!  When asked  “Who are you wearing?”, most invited guests should truthfully say, “Something that was loaned to me by a jewelry designer or clothing line.”  

So why do designers and companies loan millions of dollars worth of jewelry and clothing to people who could probably afford to pay?   There are several reasons.  It’s a great way to advertise your product. It’s great advertisement to be mentioned by a star on the red carpet.  It’s also a great way to build good-will with a clientele that can actually afford to buy your ten-thousand-dollar-dress-that-looks-like-a-swan.  For many reasons, clothing and jewelry designers have found that it is good business to lend to those who already “have everything”.

Today in Proverbs Chapter 19 the writer makes an amazing statement:

 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.   Proverbs 19:17

Whatever we do to show kindness to people who are needy, is like lending to God.  God PROMISES to repay if we will give to people who can not personally repay us.   It’s the only place in the Bible that I am aware of that seems to make it possible for the all-powerful and rich-beyond-measure God to “owe us one”.   Amazing!

I hope you will take the time to read the rest of Proverbs Chapter 19 today.   Most of all though, I hope you will remember verse 17 whenever you have the opportunity to help someone in need.  Even though it may never “buy” you a mention on the red carpet, I think lending to God is a far safer bet than loaning an evening gown to Snooki…