Consider the Poor

Psalm 41:1 —  Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him.

God wants us to help the poor and blesses us when we do. Does this mean that we give money to people on the street when they beg for it? If that is something the Holy Spirit impresses your heart to do, then the answer is clear. But many believers are uncomfortable giving cash handouts, since they know that the money will likely be spent on alcohol and drugs rather than food and shelter. What are we to do?

Some Christians donate money to Christian organizations that provide food, clothing, shelter, educational services, and the gospel to the poor and needy. The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, and Compassion International are some good examples. Local Christian food banks and homeless shelters are also worthy of a believer’s cash donations.

The poor need our prayers and our compassion. They need to hear the gospel as much as anyone else in the world. Jesus told the story of the beggar named Lazarus who sat at the gate of the rich man’s home hoping to eat scraps from his table. Lazarus had faith in God despite his poverty. Peter and John had no money to give to the lame man who sat outside the Beautiful Gate of the temple, but they shared their faith and miraculously healed him.

The richest billionaire on earth may also be one of the poorest people on earth spiritually if he does not know Christ as his Savior. All lost people, regardless of their financial status, live in spiritual bankruptcy and poverty. Let us consider both the economically and the spiritually poor. Pray for the poor and ask God to direct you how to be used to help. You may not have much money, but you are rich in Christ. And if you consider the poor, God will bless you too!

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