The Poor, and Our Duty Toward Them

The Right Attitude Toward the Poor

What is God’s attitude toward the poor?

“For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.”

Psalm 72:12.

For what purpose did Christ say God had anointed Him?

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18. 

When did He say we could minister to the poor?

“The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.” Mark 14:7.

What classes are we especially enjoined to help?

“Learn to do what is right! Seek justice encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17.

How did the patriarch Job treat the poor?

“I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.” Job 29:16.

The Relation of the True Religion to Charity

What is pure and undefiled religion declared to be?

“The 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.” James 1:27.  

What kind of fast is most acceptable to God?

“Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, so set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide for the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and turn not away from your own flesh and blood?”

Isaiah 58:6,7.   

How does the Lord regard kindness shown to the poor?

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” Proverbs 19:17. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10. 

Fate and Reward

What fate awaits those who turn a deaf ear to the poor?

“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.”

Proverbs 21:13.

What promises are made to those who consider the poor?

“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desires of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.” Psalm 41:1-3.

What is promised those who do this work?

“The you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. :If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will become like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:9-11.

What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?

“Jesus answered,  “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21.

Note – From Matthew 25:31-45, we learn that Christ identifies Himself with needy, suffering humanity; and that any neglect shown them He regards as done unto Himself, and any service rendered to them as though done for Him. We are not saved because we help the needy; but if we experience the salvation of Christ, we will love the unfortunate. This is a test of the genuineness of our profession.

The Good, the Rich, and the Poor

What was the character of Christ’s work among men? 

“He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Acts 10:38. 

What will His true followers do?

“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6.

In ministering to the needy, whom are we really serving?

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you have did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’” Matthew 25:40

How long will there be poor in the world?

“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.”

 Matthew 26:11.

What relation do all sustain to God?

“Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is Maker of them all.” Proverbs 22:2.

Whom to Help and How

What classes are subjects for Christian help work?

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27.

How did Job learn of the needs of the poor?

“I was the father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.”  Job 29:16.

What parable illustrates practical Christian help work?

The parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.  

When Christ sent out the Seventy, what did he tell them to do in the cities whither they went?

“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.”

Verse 9.

What incentive have Christians for doing prison work?

“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:36.

Who notes the groans of the prisoner?

“The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.”

Psalm 102: 19,20.

It is our duty always to give what is expected or asked?

“The Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6. (See also 2 Corinthians 12:8.)

What is sometimes of greater value even than money to discouraged souls?

“When I smiled on them, they scarcely believed it, the light of my face was precious to them.” Job 29:24.

Evidence and Fruits of True Salvation

What is one good evidence of genuine repentance?

“Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” Daniel 4:27.

What is one evidence that one has a knowledge of God?

“He defended the cause of the poor and the needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 22:16.

What divine law of retroaction attends giving?

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38. (See also Psalm 18:25, 26; 109:17; Galatians 6:7.)

What is promised those who give to the poor?

“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” Proverbs 28:27.

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