Galatians 2:10

Only they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Caring for the poor is not a subject that I can speak to boldly. I have had instances of caring enough to do something about it here and there over the years, but it has never been a consistent part of my walk with Christ. Shame on me. Having found Paul’s gospel to be perfectly consistent with the teachings of Jesus, the church leaders (James, Peter, and John) asked him only for one thing—to remember the poor, and specifically, the poor Believers in Jerusalem. Paul’s ministry was to people outside of the area, yet he was faithful over the years to always be working on sending back money to help his poor and persecuted brethren back in Jerusalem.

Are you remembering the poor…or forgetting them?

There was an additional blessing in Paul’s efforts to help the poor back in Jerusalem because the money was given to Jewish converts by Gentile converts. Where there had been deep division, the gospel brought unity…and not just a surface-level unity, but a sacrificial unity. I’m sure there were some Jewish converts that had to humble themselves when receiving help from Gentiles, and that’s a good thing. It may be more blessed to give than to receive…but sometimes there is difficulty in receiving, as it can be an acknowledgment of our need for help. It is an acknowledgment that we can’t dig ourselves out. It is an acknowledgement that we are powerless…and fallen human beings don’t like feeling that way at all. It is the same challenge some people face when it comes to the gospel itself.

Paul was “eager” to help his poor brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, and that should set a standard for the rest of us. “To take care of the poor is not only a practical but a spiritual responsibility, because to forsake that responsibility is to disobey God’s Word” (MacArthur). “Whoever has this world’s goods,” John declares, “and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 Jn 3:17). James says that it is a sham believer who says to “a brother or sister… without clothing and in need of daily food, … ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet [does] not give them what is necessary for their body” (James 2:15-16). I fear that far too many of us are sham believers in this regard.

Caring for the poor was also a matter of great importance in the Old Testament:

If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. (Deuteronomy 15:7-8) It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:21) Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.  (Proverbs 28:27)

There is no question we are all called to assist the poor whenever and wherever we can, as the bible is replete with commands to do so. Yes, we also have to be good stewards of our resources, but God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:6-7) and shows particular favor to those who help the poor. Helping can be in the form of money, food, employment, or just spending time to comfort and encourage…but help we must…and we should be eager to do so. Take a few minutes and look online for ways to help the poor in your community…then do so! I’ll do the same.