Why Caring for the Poor is More Important than We Think
If you have ever read through the Old Testament prophets, you will recall that God was immensely displeased with His people and that they had to walk through the consequences that He had warned them about for generations. I consider this period in scripture as a cautionary tale. The prophets' warnings to the people also warn the current Church and me of the behaviors that draw us away from God. What are these sins that so ignited the ire of God against His people? I usually think of idolatry, disobedience, and compromising oneself to the patterns of the world as the most displeasing things to God. However, in this most recent study of these books, I observed that a significant area that God held against the Israelis was in their neglect of the poor and marginalized. It was not just how people disregarded God but also how they disregarded the poor, their fellow image bearers, that was an affront to God. We all know to some degree that we are called to care for the poor and overlooked, but sometimes we either are not sure how to go about it, or we simply reason our way out of consistent care for those in need. Here are some questions that we should ask ourselves as we check our hearts for the poor.
1. Do I judge who deserves my help? When the Bible speaks of caring for the poor and needy, it does not give background on why said persons ended up in need. However, people may withhold help from someone they perceive as having made poor choices because they deserve where they are. Are these people less precious to God? Are they not made in the image of God? I recall the passage in John 9 when the disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned?” to cause a man to be blind from birth. We can often be like this in our willingness to give, asking ourselves, “Is this person where they are through poor choices, and, if so, am I wasting my resources on them?”
2. Do I understand how important giving is to God? Throughout scripture, the poor, orphaned, widowed, and otherwise marginalized are consistently mentioned. We often pine over determining our purpose and calling as if it has to be something huge and public. If you are unsure of your purpose, let me give you at least one area that is sure to align with God’s will for your life. Give what you can to those in need. Better yet, give in secret. Loving God means that what is important to Him is also important to us. The poor and marginalized are close to God’s heart.
3. Am I intentional about giving? This one may have you feeling like I am trying to be in your business, but amiga, stick with me here. When we budget our bills, church giving, and hair and skin product expenses (no, just me?), are we also factoring in how much and how much we will give away? Is giving something that we plan for and seek to accomplish, or do we wait for the chance that a need will make itself known and then give whatever is convenient at the moment? I would challenge us to budget for the poor. This could be through supporting an organization, purchasing gift cards to give out on our travels, or putting cash in an envelope to give to a family or individual you know is in need. How about inviting someone to break bread with you or choosing with your loved ones to bless a family in need this Christmas? There are so many ways that giving fits every budget and lifestyle.
4. Do I feel like the problem is so big, there’s no use in trying? Jesus did say that we would always have the poor with us but that did not mean that we were to ignore their plight. The one person you bless with a meal, the one afternoon you make time to volunteer, the twenty dollars a month you donate to an organization, it may seem small, but let me assure you, it is mighty. It matters. You may not solve someone’s every woe, but you aren’t called to, nor could you if you wanted to. We are simply called to act on what God places on our hearts to do for those in our sphere. I dream about the impact that could be made when everyone who calls Jesus Lord would accept that while they cannot do everything, they can and will do something.
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
The poor may not live next door, they may not be in our immediate circle and they may not be in our everyday experience but they exist and they are our neighbors. So many of us long to live lives that honor God, that please Him, and that shine His light in this dark world. Care for those in need is an integral part of living to that end.
