Heed to the Calling (Proverbs 21:13)

It has been said that if we wish to be treated a certain way, then we, too, must treat others the same way. Jesus Himself said to do unto others as we would have others do to us.

"Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry himself and not be heard." Proverbs 21:13, Amplified

When I read the words, "stops his ears", I think of a child who has shoved his two index fingers into his ear canals, thus quieting the flow of noise into his ears. But this is no joke. We must not stop our ears when we hear the poor cry out for help. This does not have to be a financial poorness either. One who is poor simply does not have the resources to help himself.

Jesus told a story about such a man who closed his ears and would not hear the cries of someone else. This man had a huge debt to pay, but because of his cries, he was released from his debt. But how thankful was he? This is what he did after he was released from his own debt. He went out and found one who owed him money as well. One would think that he would show the same benevolence upon him, but no. "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what he had done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that he had done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." (Matthew 18:29-35, NKJV) It does not matter what the cry is, we must have compassion just as compassion has been given to us. It does not matter if it is dealing with a debt owed to yourself or someone needs help in some other way, we must heed to the higher calling that we have in our lives. If we do not, we are in danger. "For judgement is without mercy tot he one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement." (James 2:13, NKJV)