Hi friends and welcome to today's encouragement from the Our Daily Bread Devotional.

Julie Schwab authored today's reading and she titled it, Caring for Those in Need.

Elvis Summers answered the door to find Smoky, a frail woman who stopped by regularly to ask for empty cans to return for cash.

This money was her primary source of income.

Elvis got an idea.

Could you show me where you sleep? he asked.

Smokey led him to a narrow patch of dirt, about two feet wide next to a house.

Moved by compassion, Summers built her a tiny house, a simple shelter that provided space for her to sleep safely.

Summers ran with the idea.

He started a GoFundMe page and teamed with local churches to provide land to build more shelters for others who were homeless. Throughout the Bible, God's people are reminded to care for those in need. When God spoke through Moses to prepare the Israelites to enter the promised land, he encouraged them to be open-hearted

and freely lend to the poor whatever they need. This passage also noted that there will always

be poor people in the land. We don't have to go far to see this as true. As God compassionately

called the Israelites to be open-handed toward your fellow Israelites,

we too can find ways to help those in need. Everyone needs food, shelter, and water. And even if we

don't have much, may God guide us to use what we do have to help others. Whether it's sharing a sandwich or a warm winter coat,

small things can make a big difference.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from Deuteronomy

15 verses 7 through 11. if anyone is poor among your

fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you do not be hard-hearted

or tight-fisted toward them rather be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need

be careful not to harbor this wicked thought the seventh year Rather be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need.

Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought.

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