' Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.' Proverb 31: 8-9
We all need wisdom to conduct tasks we order to finish, all wisdom from God. For King Lemuel, He need wisdom to manage his personal life as a King, and run his country, such as, the justice system, defence strategy, tax and welfare of his people. God gave an oracle to King Lemuel through his mother. We have no evidence that how wise was this king on carrying out his kingship. But what we could see is the importance of helping the poor and needy from the passage. Three things have been mentioned in this oracle to the King: one is not spend your strength on women; second is not give to alcohol; and third is to helping poor and needy. These three points sound so obvious. But, how many Kings in the history succeed in doing so. The first two points tell us what we should not do. The third point is what we should do. This is God’s word to the King. It must have its significant implication to us as well.
Let we look together on what bible tells us on Helping the Poor and Needy.
In every society, no matter how rich and bountiful, there have always been impoverished people. These people evoke our concern and sympathy.
One question we would ask ourselves is Do we have an obligation as Christian to help the Poor and Needy?
Christians have an obligation to serve the poor and needy. Indeed, their service to the poor is a reflection of their respect for God. Proverbs 14:31 (NIV) declares, “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God."
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (Prov.19:17 NIV) “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” (Prov. 21:13 NIV) “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (Prov. 22:9 NIV) “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” (Prov. 28:27 NIV)
What would stop us to give our help to those who are poor and in need? One reason is that Many Christians fear their resources will be diminished by giving some of them away. God’s economy, however, does not operate on a zero-sum principle, zero-sum describes a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participant(s); but rather on the principle of sowing and reaping (i.e., you reap what you sow). Furthermore, the Scriptures make it abundantly clear that our service to the poor is service to God himself (“… whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matt. 25:40 NIV). The converse is also true (“… whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matt. 25:45).
We do have the obligation to help those who are poor and needy, it is a way to bring honor to God.
We do want to help but how to help? Thankfully, we have bible, God’s word.
Galatians 2: 10: “Paul and Barnabas were asked that they should continue to remember the poor,…” What we could do is continue to remember those who are poor and needy in our prayer, know what they need, put ourselves into their situation, and not only remember them during prayer meeting but also on daily basis if we can. If their needs are in our heart, I believe it will motivate us to help. God is faithful, He will certainly direct us.
James 1: 27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” If we are in the right condition, we are able to help considering our own circumstance, we need to put our words in action to care the widows and look after orphans as well as to the poor and needy.
Acts 11:28-30: One of them named Agabus, stood up ……, the
We as fellowship give what we can help collectively to those who are poor and in needy. Poor and needy in spirit, poor and needy financially.
1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. We give not only clothes, money but more importantly our love and Give with a cheerful heart.
2 Corinthians 9: 6-8
More than that, Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
What is more than helping physically or financially to the poor and needy is to bring the good news, God’s salvation to them. The poor would always be among us, there is always someone need help and there is always someone need salvation.
Let us pray to end!
