Proverbs 31:19-20

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

(Since a distaff isn't something I frequently use, I had to look up what it is.  Like a spindle, it's something used for spinning wool.) 

The first verse made me think of Dorcas, in Acts 9, who made clothing for the poor, and so I thought it fit well with the verse that follows it.  The Proverbs 31 woman is charitable.  She shares generously with those who are in need.  I think, though, that the choice of wording is important.  "She opens her arms" and "extends her hands".  This isn't long-distance giving, like sending a check to a far-off organization (although that is a good thing to do).  This is more personal.  She welcomes the needy.  It sounds like a face-to-face kind of thing.  She not only helps meet their physical needs, but she takes the time to get to know them.  She treats them like she would treat a friend or family member.  Maybe it's working at a soup kitchen.  Maybe it's helping the family down the street who has fallen on hard times.  But she ministers personally to their needs and in doing so, shows them the love of Christ.