Remember the Poor
The Bible mentions "the poor" more than 200 times throughout its pages. This repetition isn't accidental—it clearly demonstrates God's heart for those in need and His expectation that His followers will share this concern. As explored in our recent podcast episode, remembering the poor is not merely a suggestion but a fundamental aspect of living out our faith.
When Paul recounts his meeting with early church leaders in Galatians 2, he notes that Peter, James, and John gave him and Barnabas the "right hand of fellowship," approving their mission to the Gentiles. Yet at this crucial moment, these pillars of the church had one specific request: "only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." This small but significant detail reveals how central caring for the poor was to the early church's understanding of the gospel. It wasn't an afterthought or a secondary concern—it was essential to their mission and identity.
The biblical mandate extends far beyond mere acknowledgment of poverty. In 1 John 3:16-17, we find a direct challenge: "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" This powerful verse connects our response to those in need with the authenticity of our faith. Similarly, Proverbs 14:31 declares that "whoever oppresses a poor man insults his maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." The message is clear: how we treat the poor directly reflects our relationship with God Himself.
Many Christians struggle with fulfilling this biblical command for various reasons. Some assume the responsibility belongs solely to the church as an institution, charities, or government programs. Others cite busyness, concerns about how donations might be used, or the belief that they don't have enough to give. Yet Scripture provides no exemptions from this responsibility. As Galatians 6:10 instructs, "as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone," with special attention to fellow believers. The call to generosity extends beyond our immediate church community to everyone in need we encounter.
Importantly, remembering the poor doesn't always require financial contributions. There are countless ways to fulfill this biblical mandate: donating unused clothes to shelters, volunteering at food banks, helping neighbors with tasks they cannot afford to outsource, or simply offering presence and conversation to those who are often overlooked. James 1:27 defines pure religion as visiting "orphans and widows in their affliction"—an active engagement with those in vulnerable positions.
The challenge before us is to move beyond theoretical agreement with these biblical principles to practical implementation. This week, find one meaningful way to help someone in need. Whether through donating, volunteering, or direct assistance, take intentional action. Then reflect on the experience and consider how regular practices of generosity might become part of your spiritual discipline. By doing so, we not only fulfill a biblical command but also experience the truth that generosity connects us more deeply to God's own heart and character.