Serving the Poor
Today’s reading is out of James 1:27 and 2:14-17. Begin today’s devotion by reading these passages in your Bible.
The entire story of Scripture shows a God who loves and meets the needs of all people–all ages, backgrounds, economic statuses, etc. God invites us to partner with Him in this work. God wired us each uniquely to reach different groups of people that we’re particularly passionate about. However, there is one group of people that all Christ-followers are called to love and meet their needs–the poor and marginalized. Jesus’ life reflected this (He even says clearly in Luke 4:17-19 that this is His mission, and it’s a common theme through the entire Old and New Testaments.)
In fact, Richard Stearns points out in “The Hole in our Gospel” that there are over 2000 verses about poverty and justice throughout Scripture! It’s certainly something God cares deeply about–and we are called to also. Our culture likes to say, “God helps those who help themselves,” but the real truth in Scripture is: “God helps those who can’t help themselves. And He does it through us.” Let’s read through these calls from God to love the poor and reflect on how to live that out.
James 1:27; 2:14-17 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world… 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
Reflect
- Which of these three passages speaks to you the most? Why?
- Why do you think God has such a heart for the poor and such an urgency to have us meet their needs?
- What do you see as the biggest barriers that keep most Christ-followers from helping the poor? Which ones are your biggest barriers?
- What does God do in us and teach us when we step out to help others in need?
Act
Be intentional to let God expand your heart for the poor and marginalized and expand your understanding of the issues they face. Consider reading books like “The Hole in our Gospel” and “When Helping Hurts” and studying passages of Scripture about it (like the ones listed above and Matt 25:31-46, Luke 4:17-19). Ask God to show you some tangible ways you can start to meet the needs of the poor and marginalized who are right around you.
Pray
Lord Jesus, give us the heart You have towards the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized in our world. Help us always find ways to serve and bless them in Your name. We pray this helps them know the grace and love You have for them, and we pray that it deepens our relationship with You as well. Amen.