What does the Bible say about taking care of the poor? (Written by my wife)

 

What does the Bible say about taking care of the poor?

Anyone who withholds food or the funds to purchase food from those in need is not of God and is not a true follower of Jesus Christ.  This is not my theory, but straight from the Word of God! 

(Matthew 19:21) Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

Did Jesus say it is okay to refuse to help the poor due to politics?  Did He say it was ever okay to refuse to help others in need?  No!  He said our treasures in Heaven come when we help the destitute!

(Luke 4:18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.

How can one preach the gospel to the poor if they don't care if others go hungry?  They are making fun of people needing government assistance by refusing to see disabilities and other circumstances that make it difficult to work.  Calling people in need lazy, drug addicts, and every other insulting name in the book is just plain cruel.  We are commanded to look after those in need, not create false accusations and make them feel guilty for needing help!    

(Luke 6:20-21) And [Jesus] lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, "Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled."

Jesus did not say the poor and hungry should be cursed and insulted for their circumstances. No!  He blessed them!

(Romans 15:26) For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

It pleased them to help, not harm the poor.

(2 Corinthians 8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Jesus was poor! Had he been alive today, he would have been mocked for His financial state!  He did not choose to be a king or a rich man; He chose to be a humble poor servant!

(2 Corinthians 9:9) As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever.

It is righteousness to give, not take from, the poor!

(Galatians 2:10) Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Remember the poor, not oppress them.

(James 2:1-9) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the [expensive] clothing, and say unto him, "Sit thou here in a good place"; and say to the poor, "Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool," Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself", ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Read that again and again! Let it sink in deep to your soul.  

Do not let anyone dictate to you what to believe when it comes to those less fortunate, instead follow the ways of Jesus and His followers. 

(James 2:13-18 & 24-26) For He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, "Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled"; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, "Thou hast faith, and I have works:" shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Read that again and again! Let it sink in deep to your soul.  

Yes, indeed, your soul be dead if you refuse to help the poor and needy of this world!

And I will end with these words from Jesus:

(Matthew 25:34-46) Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me... Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not... Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.