Good News for the Poor

The notion of helping in place has been practiced since time immemorial. God has always expected care, love, respect, and justice for the poor within the society. Everyone in the society is responsible for playing a role in the eradication of poverty within the society of one’s dwelling. The ancient biblical teachings reinforced the idea of assisting the poor with their needs, an endeavor that the Old and New Testament articulated and ensured its practice among the people. The Old Testament delves in the acts of the early church in helping the poor while the New Testament articulates Jesus’ Ministry in relation to addressing the needs of the poor. Various historical events, such as the transfer of responsibility from the church to the government, and Protestant Reformation impacted care for the poor in various ways, particularly in reinforcing the perception of the “undeserving poor” and constraining help for the poor in general. God, however, expects the society to be sensitive to the needs of the poor and to share the available resources in a way that facilitates equity. The idea of deserving and undeserving poor remains an issue of controversy as giving was considered a reciprocal act where the giver and recipient benefitted in diversified ways. 

Caring about the poor is directly related to acts of justice (Poe, 2012). Since creation of wealth is a gift from God, it is right and just to share with the poor as a depiction of love. The notion of equitable sharing of resources is through assistance for the poor. The latter are part of the society and should be offered care like any other individual in the same society. Charity involves benefit for both the giver and the recipient. Interdependence is a prerequisite for harmonious co-existence and is comprised of charity as one of the elements that God requires from His people (Poe, 9). Helping the poor entails sharing of resources to ensure justice and equity among all members of the society.

The society is responsible for the poor since these are part of the entire community. The wealthy, therefore, are supposed to help the poor in all means available to them. Strangers, foreigners, the weak and helpless, orphans, widows, slaves, prisoners, debtors, and the oppressed are some of the categories of people considered as poor in God’s sight. Families and communities were meant to help them in their needs and to ensure kind treatment to them. Hospitality was required for foreigners and strangers. Grains left in the fields after harvesting was reserved for the poor. Adequate care for the widows and orphans was a command from God. The society should also strive to ensure the freedom of slaves and debtors (p.8). The latter are not supposed to pay interest on loans as this emerges as a way of mistreatment. Just like any other individual within the society, God requires everyone to treat the poor with love, respect, justice, and compassion. 

There are several historical events that reinforce the idea of helping the poor. Biblical recordings are one of the historical events that have impacted care for the poor. The covenants that God had with His people in the ancient times revealed God’s love, respect, care, and justice for humankind. Caring for and about others, therefore, is a way of honoring the Creator  (p.8). Charity was an idea of the Hebrews and was considered as a means of balancing relationships. The Old Testament reinforces the idea of helping the strangers, foreigners, orphans, widows, and debtors. In the New Testament, Jesus Ministry is depicted as one of helping the poor and it reinforces the idea that one who helps the poor is engaging in the continuity of the Ministry. The early church engaged in the acts of helping the poor in a bid to ensure equitable distribution of resources and eradication of poverty in the society. Another significant historical event that impacted care for the poor is the shifting of responsibility from the church to the government (p.11). Laws have been created that constrain assistance for the poor rather than facilitating it. Protestant Reformation is another historical event whose significance is founded on an emphasis on individual responsibility and hard work. The notion of the “undeserving poor” became highly articulated such that those with material wealth continued to amass more wealth amidst the belief that the poor ought to lead holy lives for God’s blessings would befall the faithful (p.12). 

One way of determining the individuals who need help in the society is through the consideration of the notion of work. People who work but depict poverty deserve help. Anyone who does not work should not even eat as per the words of Apostle Paul. However, the idea of distinguishing between the deserving and undeserving poor emerges as an issue of controversy and is considered to be against the ancient biblical teachings. Advocates of charity argue that it is more important to help the poor than to neglect the needs of the poor due to the perception of giving to undeserving individuals (p.10). Neglecting the poor is more of a sin than giving to the undeserving. 

The American economy emphasizes materialism, naturalism, and capitalism with hard work, productivity, wealth, and order being at the core of social co-existence (p.13). Care for the needy as valued creations of God is not a prerequisite. The worth and dignity of individuals is, however, emphasized in the professional field but the state takes the responsibility of helping the poor. Engaging in charity is currently perceived as a way of encouraging laziness (p.15). The poor in the society, however, impact the economy and political system through legislatives that transfer responsibility to the citizens in a bid to ensure social stability. The freedom and well-being of citizens is also affected by the social unrest brought forth by the need to co-exist with the poor whose needs are unmet. Every citizen can enjoy his or her rights and privileges only when the needs of the poor are well addressed. 

The Bible articulates the need for helping the poor in society. Individuals and the church, therefore, have a responsibility to exemplify helping the poor. Christians should practice sharing with the poor to ensure justice and equity in the distribution of resources. Christians should also try to influence the political and economic systems regarding the poor by making it known to those in authority that the poor are part of the society and wealth creation is God’s gift to humankind (p.18). The idea of equitable resource allocation and distribution should guide welfare programs rather than delving into the notions of deserving and undeserving poor. Attempts to change individual’s hearts and the social structures have not done much in alleviating poverty and it is the high time that the church takes over the role of teaching the people about the power of charity and the associated benefits in ensuring equity in resource distribution and also social harmony and economic stability, aspects that are critical to individuals’ co-existence. 

In conclusion, the poor remain a responsibility to the political, social, and economic system of every nation. The society has a role to play in ensuring equitable distribution of resources and eradication of poverty in a bid to facilitate harmonious co-existence. The ancient biblical teachings articulate the need to help the poor through charitable acts which are depicted as highly beneficial to both the giver and the recipient. The New Testament articulates the same by narrating Jesus’ Ministry as one that focused on addressing the needs of the poor. While there are several historical events that have impacted the idea of helping the poor, the church has a role in articulating the need for justice to the poor and thus a sustainable means to helping the poor.

Reference

Poe, M. A. (2012). Good news for the poor: Christian influences on social welfare. In T. L. Scales & M. Kelly (Eds.). Christianity and social work (4th Ed.). Boston, CT: North American Association of Christians in Social Work, pp.8-18.