Help the Poor Without a lot of Questions

In tough times, do those of us who handled our finances responsibly have a moral obligation to bail out those of us who didn't? Are we or brother's keep economically?

Jesus was clear that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). That means doing what is best for the other person.

What is best usually isn't "bail out" in the sense of rewarding irresponsibility. We should love and help others so that they will be stronger and do better in the future.

However, we should help those who are poor and desperate even if their bad choices got them into their difficulties. Jesus taught us to help others without asking a lot of questions about their history.

One of Jesus' most familiar statements is that "The poor you will always have with you" (Matthew 26:11). It is helpful to know that the quote was not original with Jesus. It comes from an Old Testament law in an agricultural society on how they were to handle their harvesting when poor people were nearby.

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 says, "When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this."

Bottom line? It is quintessentially Christian to help others in need.

Leith Anderson

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Help the Poor Without a lot of Questions

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