April 24, 2009

One area in which it is evident that God is truly alive and well within the hearts of His people is in their attitude regarding the poor.  Of course, it may be important to define what is meant by “poor”.  For some, the word refers to diminished access to the wants and comforts that others enjoy.  And while there is perhaps some room to debate the lack of fairness in a society where some can enjoy privileges that others do not, this is not really the idea captured in the Biblical usage of the word “poor”.  

“Poor” in a Biblical context refers more implicitly to the condition of not having sufficient means or resources to survive.  In that sense, the number of “poor” in the United States is relatively low compared to most of the populations around the world.  This is not to say that the US does not have “poor” people, but there are perhaps a number of people in the US who regard themselves as “poor” who, compared to the average citizens in a typical undeveloped country, are blindingly rich.  They have a roof over their heads, food in their refrigerators, and more than one change of clothes.  Think of what a luxury a refrigerator is for most of the world’s people!  But consider also that many of these “poor” additionally have a television, access to transportation, the opportunity to learn to read and write, and rudimentary health care services. 

The truly “poor” among Americans are those who, for one reason or another, do not have access to such luxuries.  For such as these there continues to be real need and real opportunity for the people of God to make a difference. 

Should Christians be concerned?  Should they somehow be mobilized to action with the attitudes of generosity and hospitality?  Should they be conveyers of compassion and hope for those who are desperately cold, hungry and without shelter no matter that CEOs file bankruptcy while flying in their private jets from one of their many mansions to their board meetings at posh resorts? 

Yes, they should.  For as important as church attendance, prayer, worship, and tithing might be, among them in importance is the reaching out to those who are truly poor. 

“Day after day they seek Me out; they seem eager to know My ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God.  They ask Me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.  ‘Why have we fasted,” they say, ‘and You have not seen it?  Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?’  Yet on the day of fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.  Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.  You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.  Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?  Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?  Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?  Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:  to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:2-7 NIV). 

It is not for a government to take on the burden of the poor (especially for a nation whose government is increasingly hostile to Biblical Christianity), but for the people of God to compassionately lead out in helping, sharing, and reaching the poor with not only resources but loving wisdom in the using of those resources. 

 The danger for Christians today in America is the perpetuation of apathy regarding the poor.  Now that our government has made promises to undertake the cause of the poor, the church is especially in danger of relinquishing its opportunity to show the compassion of Jesus to those who are not only in physical need but in spiritual need as well. 

And do not think for a moment that our government can truly do the job.  Even if its aims were truly practical, the redistribution of wealth from the wealthy to the poor, it will never have the spirit of compassion of Jesus behind it.  The poor will be quietly relegated to the shadowy and quiet lines of administrative bureaucracy, coldly served and satiated.  Never unearthed and never met will be those deeper hungers that lay beneath the surface of their cry for food cards, clothing vouchers, and free healthcare. 

Watch out!  Don’t be one who waits on the government to solve the problems of the poor!  It isn’t its job!  It’s yours and mine!  Besides, what about needs that lie beyond the soil of the “sovereignty” of the United States?  They are not beyond God’s reach.  And if you belong to Him, then they are not beyond yours!  Ministry to the “poor” has been and continues to be a hallmark of Christian ministry. 

“For God, Who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles (non-Jews)….   James, Peter, and John… agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.  All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do” (Galatians 2:9-10 NIV). 

Even as the Gospel has long since moved out from Jerusalem and the rest of Judea into the wider world, the admonition to “remember the poor” continues to be an essential component of genuine Christian faith.  You and I can serve God by “remembering the poor” today.  With God’s Spirit helping you, learn the joy of serving Him by helping those who suffer today from desperate need, in our towns, our county, our state and nation, and around the world.        

(Thom Mollohan and his family have ministered in southern Ohio the past thirteen years and is the  author of The Fairy Tale Parables:  Classic Fairy Tales Pointing to God's Love and Truth.  He is the pastor of Pathway Community Church and may be reached for comments or questions by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).