FEBRUARY 26
Psalm 41
Psalm 41:1, “Blessed is the one who considers the poor!”
You know the story. The fictional character, Ebenezer Scrooge, was described by Charles Dickens as “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!” Despite his considerable personal wealth, Scrooge underpays his clerk, hounds his debtors, and disregards the needs of the poor, as he lives cheaply and joylessly in the chambers of his deceased business partner. Not surprisingly, he detests Christmas. When two men approach him on Christmas Eve for a donation to charity, he sneers that the poor should find work, or else die to reduce the surplus population. His last name now serves as a byword for greed and misanthropy.
It takes little effort to live like Scrooge. We are born sinners, and in sin we’ve a propensity to look out primarily for our own interests. Sin makes us selfish. In “looking out for number one,” there’s little desire or inclination to consider the needs of others.
It took three visits by three spirits to change the heart of Scrooge. They opened his eyes to the error in his ways, both with respect to what might have been, what was, and what would be lest he change. Scrooge begs for another chance, promising to alter his ways, and finds himself in his bed on Christmas Day. An overjoyed Scrooge then commits to being more generous and compassionate.
It takes far more than that to change the heart of a selfish sinner. Nothing less than a born-again experience through faith in Christ can work to do that. The psalmist understood God to be a giving God (Psalm 41:2). That reality has been visibly demonstrated for all to see in the sacrifice of God’s own Son for our sins. Jesus works not just to forgive us, but to change us that we might freely give, even as we’ve freely received (Philippians 2:1-10). Happy are those who consider the poor, for in considering them, we are more like Jesus, who said, “It is more blessed to give, than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
One of the most Christlike things you can do is to be considerate of the needs of others.
Application Questions: Why does God want us to consider the poor? Think back to before you were saved. How selfish were you? How has Jesus worked to change you? How does his example work to encourage you to be more considerate of the needs of others (Philippians 2:3)?
Author: looking2jesus13
Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces.
Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries.
After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year.
Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley.
International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith.
Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully.
Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.
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