Why Is the Bible So Adamant about Helping the Poor?
Share
There are three groups of people God continuously mentions in the Bible whom Christians should be caring about and watching out for in life: the widows, the orphans, and the poor. Today we are going to talk about the importance of caring for one of these groups, the poor.
When we are sensitive to the needs of others and show compassion, we reveal our hearts. Matthew 6:21 says it well, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we are treasuring our finances, food, homes, clothing, and resources more than the hurting people around us, our treasure is in temporary things and not eternity. God gives us Spirit-led opportunities to die to our idols, our “treasures,” and keep Him first in our hearts and actions. When we are called to make sacrifices for the poor, it refines our own values and convicts our hearts of anything we are placing above Jesus.
Many times, those in needy situations did not get there through their own faults. Sometimes those who are the most vulnerable have been greatly abused and taken advantage of by others. We are called to care for them and point them to places to receive justice when needed.
Sometimes due to lack of resources, people in these circumstances do not have the means to fight against the injustices which have been done to them. As believers in Jesus, this is where we can step in and help connect them with those who can help and be an advocate for them, and ultimately witness to them through it. In showing that we care about their physical justice, we can also reveal the great gift of salvation through Jesus.
When we show love and kindness to the poor, we are worshiping and loving our Creator. He made all people in His image and we are taking time to care for those who are His creations. Jesus said, in Matthew 25:40, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Next time we have the opportunity to reach out and help the poor and those in need, may we think about Jesus. We can remember His value of the people in front of us and that we are ultimately loving Him when we show love to them. The Bible is clear that we are to care for and love the poor. May we be actively obedient in this calling today.
More from this author
Why Is Genesis 1:1 So Significant in Our Understanding of God?
3 Powerful Lessons from the Book of Jeremiah
Why the Church Needs to Step Up in Evangelism
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/trumzz
