WHY I GIVE TO THE POOR AND NEEDY

There are several reasons I personally give money and time to the poor, the orphaned, the widowed and the crippled. It's not given to receive "good luck" from God; I don't believe in luck. I don't give in response to guilt; God's blessings aren't given in response to guilt-driven giving. I don't give because I'm "in the ministry" and giving to the poor is part of that ministry. I give to the poor for several very specific reasons.

I give in response to my emotion. I must admit this, but I don't think it is a bad reason. When I see an abused street kid, a hungry orphaned child or thousands of starving people huddled in a crowded camp in the dry Ethiopian desert, my heart goes out to those people. It should. I pray that I never get callused and indifferent to the plight of the poor. Everything in me says give to those who are in need.

I give in response to my ethics. It seems only right, when I have no needs, to give to those who have legitimate need. Indeed can I consider myself civilized if I have no concern or compassion toward the needy?

I give as an example to others. As a maturing Christian, I must recognize my responsibility in demonstrating the Gospel I preach. As director of an organization that ministers to the poor, the orphaned and the widows, I must set an example. Not only do I give to my church, I give to the poor also. And God has blessed me for it!

I give in response to my knowledge of God and His Word. All through the Bible is a consistent thread of His compassion toward the poor, orphaned and widowed. I have spent a good deal of time studying this Biblical doctrine. Giving to the poor is a consistent teaching in the Old as well as the New Testament. In this doctrine we find that God has mercy on the poor and will bring justice to the poor! Jesus chosen people were the poor! James says, "True religion is giving to the poor and orphaned and widowed." The Lord's eye is on the poor. It is scriptural, then, to give to the poor.

I must admit I give for selfish reasons too. I want to be blessed of God. Remember, God's blessings are not only what He gives us but His protection as well. Over and over again throughout the scriptures, God promises those who help the poor, the orphaned and the widowed multiple blessings! Many blessings! I'm selfish enough to want to be among the blessed of God!  And indeed I am!

How does God want me to respond to His blessing? There are two responses as I see it. The first response is to be thankful, to appreciate and be grateful for His goodness toward me and the second is to share what He has given us with others. The way that we show God our appreciation of His blessing is to share His blessing with others. Spiritually and materially. This makes sense to me.

On the flip side of God's coin of blessing is a curse. Again, I need to be honest. I'm selfish enough and smart enough not to want to become the target of God's wrath. In the Scriptures, we often see God's blessings preceding His wrath. A principle here: Those who pervert His blessings incur His wrath. Those who turn their eyes away from the plight of the poor are foolish indeed. Those who exploit, abuse and treat the poor (the orphans, widowed, crippled, etc.) unfairly, become candidates for God's anger. The scriptures are very clear on this!

— Von