Why Should Christians Want to Help the Poor?

Wayne Grudem,

(PhD, University of Cambridge)

Why should Christians be motivated to help the poor? The Bible provides two key reasons for this:

•  Love your Neighbors as yourself (Matt. 22:39)
• Remember the poor (Gal. 2:10)
   

1.      First, regarding helping the poor and needy, there are the greatest and general commandments found throughout Scripture.

 Jesus taught, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39). If we truly love someone who is poor, we will want to assist them. Additionally, Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). If we aim to let the “light” of our actions shine before others, it follows that we should help those in need. The apostle Paul also emphasizes that God has called us to live lives marked by “good works”: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Helping the poor is undoubtedly one of the good works God desires us to engage in.

 2.      Second, Christians should be motivated to assist the poor because the Bible contains specific commands that call us to action. Here are several examples:

·         “Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do” (Gal. 2:10).

·         “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17).

·         “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor…you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be” (Deut. 15:7–8).

·         “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land’” (Deut. 15:11).

·         “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him” (Ps. 41:1).

·         “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him” (Prov. 14:31).

In some parts of the world, laws and systems of power can create “structural” barriers that keep people trapped in poverty. Powerful elites may maintain their wealth and influence while the poor suffer, and to truly help the poor, society must address these injustices. The Bible speaks to this through the words of Isaiah:

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?” (Isa. 58:6)

By addressing these systemic causes of poverty, we can break the chains of oppression, and through these efforts, God’s glory will be magnified. If we are called to love and care for individual poor people, our love should drive us to work toward changing laws and policies that perpetuate poverty and oppression on a larger scale, helping many people at once.

Love for the poor is rooted in recognizing them as fellow human beings made in God’s image. Authors Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert highlight that while North Americans often define poverty in terms of a lack of material things like food, shelter, or water, the poor themselves often experience poverty more psychologically and socially. They describe poverty in terms of shame, powerlessness, fear, hopelessness, and isolation. These emotional and social burdens, combined with material deprivation, create an overwhelming struggle for survival.

When we understand the broader, more painful experience of poverty—including a lack of freedom to make meaningful choices—it should stir us to seek solutions that can break these chains.

Immediate Short-Term Relief: Direct Aid to Individuals and Communities

a)      Help from Individuals and Christian Organizations:

 James cautions that words alone are insufficient when helping the poor; action is necessary:

 “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15–17)

 A similar sentiment is expressed in 1 John:

 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)

 The early church set an example in helping those in need, as “there was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34). Therefore, it is right for Christians to regularly provide for the poor by offering food, shelter, and other essentials. Many charitable organizations, churches, and governments worldwide provide such aid effectively through initiatives like building schools, digging wells, providing medical care, and supporting evangelism.

Additionally, microfinance programs have been successful in aiding individuals, and various development projects have improved health, education, and sanitation. Many Christian organizations have valuable experience in supporting the poor, and several Christian authors offer thoughtful perspectives on how to help.

 b)     Help from Government Welfare Programs:

 Some Christians argue that civil governments should not assist the poor, since the New Testament highlights the role of churches in this area. While it is true that churches historically helped the poor, there is no biblical mandate prohibiting government involvement. In countries where evangelical Christians are a small minority, it would be impossible for the church alone to meet the needs of all the poor.

 From a biblical perspective on government, we can affirm that civil authorities are “God’s servants for your good” (Rom. 13:4), and as such, government programs that provide for the basic needs of the poor are consistent with God’s will. It is not beneficial for society to allow individuals to suffer from hunger, exposure, or lack of shelter.

 Therefore, it is appropriate for both governments and churches to contribute to helping the poor through food, clothing, shelter, and education. This aligns with the government’s role in promoting the general well-being of society.

 c)      Short-Term Help Is Not Enough:

 Despite the many short-term aid programs in place, long-term solutions are essential. Providing job training and opportunities can help people lift themselves out of poverty, making them self-sufficient. Christian churches, with their networks and resources, can be particularly effective in facilitating these long-term solutions.

 Conclusion:

 Addressing poverty requires a multi-faceted approach, grounded in Scripture. Christians are called to show compassion and help the poor, both through immediate relief and by addressing the broader societal structures that contribute to poverty. Through the church’s efforts, as well as governmental and organizational support, we can break the cycle of poverty and glorify God by loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Abridged by: Rameshwar yadav