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The Scriptures contain more than two hundred references and statements regarding the poor. A goodly number of these statements are steeped in compassion, love and concern for these less fortunate and perhaps, 'least in the Kingdom'. Since Scripture is God's Word, it follows that these are all expressions of the heart of God . As a result of current media coverage and the many solicitations through the mail, the global plight is being brought to our attention as probably never before. The question is, "Is there practical approach in the Christian perspective with regard to helping to meet the needs of the Poor? In trying to answer the question, it becomes obvious that each individual brings some specific attitudes and economic situations to be considered, and this would seem to indicate a variety of different 'giving' measures. One way in which a concerned Christian might begin is to examine his or her own attitudes and situations pertaining to the application and validity of certain Scriptures and their personal response to some penetrating questions. As is usually the case when delving into questions involving our spiritual attitude, we are more often than not, confronted by even more questions. These can be divided into two classes: those that are forever and definitively answered in the teachings of Jesus, and those that come out of our own human estate. The answers to these may well be an attempt to justify or defend our own human perspective. The two hundred plus applicable Scriptures referring to the 'Poor' can be generally divided into three areas: the warnings against ungodly treatment of the Poor, directions on how to deal with the Poor, and, the rewards and promises for Christian charity. It is impossible to begin a Christian contemplation or study of this type without first having a concrete acknowledgment that whatever we possess, whether it be of the magnitude of Solomon's riches, or the pittance of the widow's mite, we have it out of God's mercy and largess, from His limitless bounty, for our benefit and use toward our salvation, and for spreading the Gospel according to His Will and Purpose.
Through the Scriptures, God speaks to those who have or are acquiring possessions. He cautions them against allowing their possessions to govern them. Although the context of Luke 12:48 is both spiritual and physical, " But of everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and of him to whom they have entrusted much, they will demand more", a Christian cannot ignore or relegate to unimportance the responsibility to seek God's Will regarding all which He has bestowed on us. Some questions deserving consideration are: 1. Is there a 'God-approved' set proportion of giving for the Christian? Perhaps the first thing that this question suggests is the practice of 'tithing'. The Old Testament outlines very clearly that God's people were to give one tenth of what they possess to the work of the Lord. The tithe was stipulated as the 'first fruits', i.e. before any other expenditures or uses. It appears that St. Paul in his Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6 and 7, "Mark this: He who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each one give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or from compulsion, for "God loves a cheerful giver", is somewhat superseding the notion of tithing. Perhaps this is because tithing was set out as 'law' and compulsion. Paul is teaching that 'giving' must come from the heart and the quantity should be 'determined' out of (Christian) love. 2. Should we take into account our current financial status, particularly bills that we may owe? In many cases these bills exist because we applied the funds available according to priorities which we have established. E.g. food, housing and day to day expenses and perhaps less important items, e.g. vacations, cars, clothes, etc. 3. Do we incur an added responsibility to work harder or longer or second jobs in order to meet the bills and obligations or in order to give to others? One view is that since living is a journey or pilgrimage, that creating and paying bills and then recreating anew, is part and parcel of life. And the fact that we are 'called' to work, is only a part of the total picture, and that it is not necessary to do a disproportionate amount of work even for the good cause of feeding the poor, unless that is our specific ministry. A more conservative view is to live within our ordinary means and adjust our expenditures to include our charities. 4. If we share with the less fortunate, does 'share' mean equally, or 10%, or somewhat less than to the point where we, ourselves, might be uncomfortable or perhaps endangering our own health? Since 'health' encompasses the emotional, mental and physical, perhaps outright real giving, as compared to doling out, could create emotional instability and/or interfere with a long- range security plan. In light of Cor 9:9, "He has scattered abroad and has given to the poor, His justice remains forever", and, Prov 28:27, "He that giveth to the poor shall not want'.', is it a failure to trust in God if we set goals upon financial security to the detriment or exclusion of the needs of the poor? 5. Is there a validity to storing up for many future tomorrows' daily bread while there are some who are starving today? Lk 12:21-22 says, "But God said to him, 'Thou fool, this night they shall demand thy soul of thee; and the things that thou has provided, whose will they be?" So he is, who continually lays up treasures .for himself, and is not rich as regards God. Lest our meditation get out of proportion, Scripture in no way suggests that God had anything against the rich. He allowed Solomon, Job, Lazarus, Zaccheus, etc., to enjoy their riches when the proper occasion presented itself. The Christian concern is, "What is my attitude toward my possessions?" The Beatitude says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." One interpretation of this quote is that by being ever mindful of from whence these possessions are derived, that we do not claim title and control in our own right, but as a gift of God with His will and purpose in control. This is not to say that God's plan does not include prudence in providing for the age when a man is not able to actively work to provide for his physical needs. Quite to the contrary, Ecc 5: 17 -18 proclaims, "This therefore seems good to me, that a man should eat and drink, and enjoy the fruit of his labor, wherewith he hath labored under the sun, all the days of his life, which God has given him: and this is his portion. And every man to who God hath given riches and substance, and has given him the power to eat thereof, and to enjoy his portion, and to rejoice of his labor, this is the gift of God." With each succeeding thought, it becomes more and more obvious that the Christian concern is attitude, and a right attitude moves one to a right action. 6. Is giving and/or sharing a matter of obedience and/or love? Perhaps an all-inclusive way of stating it would be that charity is 'loving obedience' -- Because we love God, we obediently follow His will. In order to follow, we must actively seek to know. Once again, this entails searching out and taking on the mind of Christ, and consequently a response to more questions. ' 7. Who are the 'Rich'? Prov 10:22, "The blessing of the Lord maketh men rich " In Rev 2:9, the Lord says to the Church at Symyrna, "I know thy tribulation and thy poverty, but thou art rich in the sight of God." We are all rich because we are the people of God and whatever He has given, no matter how little, are part of His riches and mercy. The obvious conclusion is that we all possess and are rich in some measure, so must we all determine in our hearts what we shall give.
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