While it may not be the popular opinion today the fact remains the same. God has always made it the responsibility of the church to make sure others are taken care of. Not just of the church alone but of His individual followers as well. The Lord has always tasked those who profess faith in Him with making sure the needs of others are met.
Exodus 22:22 (ESV)
22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child
Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV)
11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)
17 learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow’s cause.
Zechariah 7:9–10 (ESV)
9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, 10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
Jesus taught a parable that heavily enforces the call placed on Christians to take care of those in need. In fact, it is in this parable we learn that our service towards others is counted as service towards God. And it will have a definite impact on where we end up on the day of judgment.
Matthew 25:35–46 (ESV)
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’
44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The Bible also tells us that pure and undefiled religion in the eyes of God means taking care of those who have no one else to care for them. As well as that our willingness to care for others by sharing our possessions with them is a direct representation of God’s love living in us.
James 1:27 (ESV)
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
1 John 3:17 (ESV)
17 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?
Jesus taught that His followers should give to all those who ask and not turn anyone away. And Paul said that those who are thieves must stop stealing and start working. Not for themselves alone but so that they could begin to meet the need of others by sharing their increase.
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Matthew 5:42 (ESV)
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Being a Christian and giving to support the true needs of others goes hand and hand. When a believer hears of or sees a need they should do whatever they can to make sure that need is met. Because that is the responsibility God has given us in this life. It is something that everyone who comes to God is tasked with.
There is no limit to what we should do for others. The scripture just tells us to take care of others. Making sure we do whatever we are able to do to meet the needs of others. That means sharing whatever you can clothing, food, water, and money. Giving without ever expecting anything in return or even get paid back.
Luke 6:35 (ESV)
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
There are no if, ands, or buts about scripture is 100% clear that it is the responsibility of every single Christian to take care of those in need. Whether you get anything out of it or not. Even when it does not completely change the person’s life or even lead them to God. No matter the circumstance we must help others in every way we possibly can because that is what God has called us to do.
If you walk past someone in need and don’t attempt to doing anything for them you are going directly against what God has called you to do. It is your personal responsibility as a Christian to do whatever you can to help anyone you see in need.
Help in whatever way you are able and do whatever God leads you to do. It’s not about grand gestures that cost you more than you can afford. Offer a hot meal, give one of the man jackets you have to the person who has none, spare a few dollars, support charities and groups that support those in need. Just be sure to do what God has tasked you with and help the least in our world.
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