God Has A Great Concern For The Poor

Here in El Paso, I see folks on the street corner every day, begging for money. They are poor and desperate for a little cash to spend on food and other necessities of life. They are not alone. More than one-half of the world’s people live below the internationally defined poverty line of less than $2.00 a day (source). Poverty and hunger are such a big problem in our world that it’s easy for us to feel helpless or to become hard-hearted and do nothing.

But God doesn’t close His eyes to the plight of the poor. When He gave His people guidelines for living, He included instructions on ways to care for the needy (Deuteronomy 15:11). He told His people:

“You shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand, from your poor brother, [but] open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).

God also commanded His people not to glean the corners of their fields so that the less fortunate could gather food (Leviticus 19:9-10). Jesus Himself showed His compassion for those in need by His words and actions (cf. Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9).

As Christians, we cannot ignore the plight of the poor today (1 John 3:16-19). We need to be diligently working to address the plight of those who are in need as we spread the saving Word of God.

God has a great concern for the poor. The question is, do we?

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets