Why Should Christians Assist the Poor? By Babatunde Olugboji
Firstly, there are the overarching directives found in Scripture. Jesus stated, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). If we truly love someone who is in need, we will naturally desire to assist that individual.
Additionally, Jesus remarked, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). If we aim to allow the “light” of our actions to illuminate the lives of others, it is imperative that we extend our help to those who are struggling.
In fact, Paul emphasized that God has summoned us to lead lives marked by “good works:” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Undoubtedly, one of the good works that God desires us to engage in is supporting those who are in need.
Secondly, we should be motivated to assist the poor because there are many specific injunctions in Scripture that instruct us to do so. There are several examples of such commands wherein we are asked to keep the poor in our thoughts, which was precisely what we should be enthusiastic about doing. (Galatians 2:10).
• If someone has a lot of possessions in this world and observes his brother in need, yet turns away from him, how can God’s love reside within him? (1 John 3:17).
• If any of your brothers among you becomes impoverished in any of the places that the Lord your God is giving you, you must not harden your heart or close your hand against your needy brother; instead, you should extend your hand to him and provide him with what he requires, regardless of what that may be. (Deuteronomy 15:7–8)
• For therinstructe will always be those in need. Thus, I you, “You shall generously extend your hand to your brother, to the needy, and to the poor in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11)
• Blessed is the individual who takes the poor into account! In times of distress, the Lord rescues him. (Psalm 41:1) 
• Whoever mistreats a poor person shows disrespect to his Creator, but he who is kind to the needy honors Him. (Proverbs 3 14:31)
In some nations of the world, laws and entrenched special interests can be “structural” forces that make it impossible for individuals to rise out of poverty. The laws and the court systems function so that the powerful elites keep all the power and retain all the wealth for themselves. Somehow these powerful groups must be persuaded (or compelled by law) to give up some of their power and privilege, and their tight hold on the wealth of the nation. 
This is imperative because there are unjust laws and even criminal actions by the powerful that have gone unpunished. The idea is not that such action should be taken simply because some people are rich and others are poor, but because some people have acted in immoral and illegal ways that have oppressed the poor and defenseless, leaving millions of people mired in poverty across the globe.
So what is our role as believers?
To be continued
Have a great week!
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