Caring for the Poor

Defining The Need

Introduction: Before we start there needs to be a clarification on the often misused phrase "Christians are not to judge." It comes the teaching of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount where our Lord says,

"Judge not, that you be not judged.

Matthew 7:1 ESV

Jesus goes on to say;
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2 ESV

We are to be a compassionate people exercising forgiveness to those who have come against us (Matt 6:12-15; 1:21-35) and giving humble admonishment to those who are breaking the laws of God first giving careful examination of our own lives (Matt. 7:3-5). Correction and admonishment is an exercise of justice toward law breaker and brings restoration to the law breaker (Gal. 6:1ff). It is what we do to protect those who are afflicted (Isa. 58:6-12). All these actions can only be done when one judges in accordance with Jesus' teaching. This is the method of discernment which is to be used when in all things. Did Jesus contradict himself when he said;

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:15-16 ESV

Jesus is telling us to judge and the way to do it.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 ESV

Consider the following:
According to Scripture, we are to show charity to both the oppressed and the sluggardly, but the charity we show will be different for each: relief to the oppressed, admonition to the sluggardly.

Basic to Biblical charity then, is the imperative of the Apostle Paul, “If anyone will not work, he shall not eat.” If we are to do our evangelistic duty to care for the poor, we must not fall into the trap of promiscuous giving. We must make certain that our charity adheres to the Biblical blueprint.
George Grant “In The Shadow Of Plenty The Biblical Blueprint for Welfare”:

If we are to deal with those in need we must be able to judge the need correctly.

The following outline is derived from chapter four of Pastor Grant’s book “In The Shadow Of Plenty: The Biblical Blueprint for Welfare”

I. The Biblical Work Ethic: Work is Good
Genesis 2:15 ESV The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Work is a central theme throughout the Scriptures. It is prominent in Paul’s writings as well as all of the Old Testament because work is at the heart of man’s created purpose. The Biblical work ethic is foundational to everything Scripture has to say about wealth, poverty, dominion, and charity.

A. Paul labored

1. In poverty and prosperity Phil 4:12.

2. In persecution and popularity
Acts 14:8-19

3. At home and abroad Acts 11:25-30

4. In season and out 2 Timothy 4:1-8

5. With friends, helpers and alone
2 Tim 4:9-12

6. Through beatings and stoning,
2 Cor 11:25

7. Facing dangers 2 Cor 11:26.

8. Through hardships: sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold, and exposure 2 Cor 11:27

B. God used workmen, common ordinary laborers, to enactment His plan of salvation. God Used:

1. Shepherds like Jacob (Gen 30:31-43) and David (1 Samuel 17:15).

2. Farmers like Amos (Amos 7:14), and Gideon (Judges 6:11).

3. Merchants like Abraham (Genesis 13:2) and Lydia (Acts 16:14).

4. Craftsmen like Aquila (Acts 18:2-3) and Oholiab (Exodus 31:6).

5. Artists like Solomon (1 Kings 4:32) and Bezalel (Exodus 31:2-5).

6. The disciples He chose to convert the nations of the earth in the first century were laborers, men of low esteem: tax collectors and fishermen (Acts 4:13).

II. Who Are the Poor?
The poor can be identified and defined, at least in part, by their attitudes toward work:

A. The Oppressed who are denied the opportunity to work.

1. The oppressed are the objects of God’s special care.
Psalms 146:5-9 ESV Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

2. John the Baptist’s request for evidence that Jesus was the Christ.
Luke 7:22 ESV And he [Jesus] answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.

B. The Sluggards who refuse the opportunity to work. while the oppressed are the objects of God’s special care, the sluggardly are the objects of His special condemnation. Sluggards:

1. Waste opportunities
Proverbs 6:9-10.

2. Bring poverty upon themselves Proverbs 10:4.

3. Are victims of self-inflicted bondage Proverbs 12:24.

4. Unable to accomplish anything in life Proverbs 15:19.

5. Are prideful
Proverbs 13,:4

6. Boastful
Proverbs 10:26

7. Lustful
Proverbs 13:4

8. Wasteful
Proverbs 12: 27

9. Careless
Proverbs 20:4

10. Lazy
Proverbs 24:30-34

11. Self-deceived
Proverbs 26:16

12. Neglectful
Ecclesiastes 10:18

13. Unproductive
Matthew 25:26

14. Impatient
Hebrews 6:12

15. A sluggard will die for the lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly Proverbs 5:22-23

16. Though he continually makes excuses for himself
Proverbs 22:13,

17. His laziness will consume him
Proverbs 24:30-34,

18 Paralyze him Proverbs 26:14, and leave him hungry
Proverbs 19:15.

C. There is a clear distinction then between the oppressed and the sluggardly.

1. The oppressed would work, if only they could.

2. The sluggardly could work, if only they would.

Conclusion: Basic to Biblical charity then, is the imperative of the Apostle Paul, “If anyone will not work, he shall not eat.” If we are to do our evangelistic duty to care for the poor, we must not fall into the trap of promiscuous giving. We must make certain that our charity adheres to the Biblical blueprint.

“In The Shadow Of Plenty: The Biblical Blueprint for Welfare” by George Grant copyright 1986 published by Dominion Press