WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS HELP THE POOR?

(First posted on 10-21-03)

Why Should Christians Help the Poor?

The best reason is because God is concerned for the poor, and wants us to be too. The Bible speaks hundreds of times about helping the poor. Several passages even command it. We are promised wonderful blessings when we do. Clearly, Christians are supposed to help the poor. (Although it is important to help them in ways that are truly loving and compassionate, giving them “a hand up, not a hand-out,” which I will address in future articles.)

Another little noticed reason is because when we help the poor, we diminish what scripture calls the “offense of the gospel.” That offense causes people to shut their ears to the gospel and keeps them from coming to faith in Christ. What are some of these offenses?

One especially offends people who consider themselves strong and independent. That is that the gospel says that no one can save themselves by their own efforts, no matter how hard they try. People who want to stand alone and not depend on someone else do not like that.

Another is that Christians are supposed to live by a list of rules. Few are willing to yield that much control over their lives to anyone. Most do not like many of the rules. (In fact, honest Christians will admit that they do not like some of them either.)

Another is that religion is thought to be no more than superstition by a probably-growing number of people. They think science has disproved it.

When people contemplate how they would probably get laughed at and how much respect they might lose by becoming a Christian, they can get downright hostile. Talk about getting offended!

So what does helping the poor have to do with the offense of the gospel? Jesus said it best, in the “Sermon on the Mount,” when he said, “Let your light so shine among men that they may see your GOOD WORKS, and glorify your father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

So it is not our resume, or achievements, or personality, or wonderful way of talking about the gospel that causes our light to shine so that men will glorify God. It is our good works! In the Bible, good works are helping the poor, the afflicted, the oppressed and the brokenhearted. When we are seen doing these things, we are respected and admired. If people also see that we are Christians, that gives them a better attitude toward Christianity. It may even help them give glory to God. And all that helps lessen the offense of the gospel.

Then people are more likely to be open to hearing about the gospel, and to accepting Christ when they do. Good works alone can never substitute for hearing the gospel. But they may get a hearing for it.