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Helping the poor, why it's not an option, but a calling
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Published: October 10, 2008
As we approach the coming elections, the issue of helping the poor is a hot topic. Candidates of every political persuasion make grand promises of their plan being the right one to fix the problems facing us.
As a Christian, I have a vested interest in the poor. My commander in chief, Jesus Christ, has made it perfectly clear that he intends for all the citizens of his kingdom to care for the poor. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains that the final judgment of men will take into consideration how they have treated those in need. One of the reasons why God allows the poor in our midst is to test the genuineness of the faith of his people.
So, helping the poor is not really an option. We are called to help the poor. A nation that does not care for its poor is a nation in decline. Robert Smith, the founder and executive director of the Christian Food Mission in Laurel, Miss., writes, "A lack of voluntary compassionate response to the needy by a people is the beginning of a headlong moral decline which will lead to the collapse and ultimate complete ruin of a society."
But agreeing that the poor should be helped does not guarantee that everyone will agree on how they should be helped. There are at least two conflicting visions for how to help the poor.
One vision for helping the poor assumes that most or even all poor people have become that way through no fault of their own. The system in which they find themselves has not dealt them a good hand. Others, through their greed, have oppressed them and kept them from rising out of poverty.
The solution comes when the power of government is used to take wealth from the rich and redistribute it to the poor in the guise of fairness. In this way, the government itself becomes a sort of "Robin Hood." Rather than siding with the evil Prince John, the government actually works for the poor. Who could ever oppose such a benevolent vision?
But the second vision does just that. The second vision limits very considerably the role of government in helping the poor.
On the one hand, the government has an obligation to bring to justice those who would break the law in order to oppress others and purposely subjugate them. With wealth comes power and man's sinful heart often seeks to abuse both of these to the detriment of his neighbor. The government is given authority to bring criminal actions to justice.
But on the other hand, when an individual lawfully increases his wealth, the government has no right to take that wealth forcefully and redistribute it to those it deems acceptable. Charity is not considered the responsibility of the government. Rather, individuals, families, churches and private organizations are the best suited means of helping the poor.
This second vision was once as well understood as using a cell phone is by today's teenager. But sadly, in the modern world, its foundations are either misrepresented or forgotten. Most cannot even comprehend of another, more effective means of helping the poor than turning the responsibility over to the government.
Here are some principles that should guide an effective ministry to the poor:
1. Helping the poor should be voluntary. It is not so much that it is optional as that it should not be conscripted. Jesus clearly told us that one evidence of truly being his child is that we will help the poor. But if everyone is forced to help, then the distinction is lost. In addition, only when charity is motivated by love can it produce the desired effect in the heart of the one being helped. Government social programs cannot legislate voluntary love.
2. Helping the poor should be personal and individual. People and their problems are always complex and require personal attention. This personalized form of aid allows for the merits of love to become more evident. When individuals sacrifice of their own free will in order to help others, those helped are impacted in ways that receiving help from a government handout would never do. Personal and individual assistance also allows for a system of accountability to take place that far exceeds the capabilities of government programs.
3. Helping the poor should be discerning. Not every person in poverty is there through no fault of their own. Some, or even many, are poor because of sinful lifestyle choices. Smith writes, "The Bible, over and over again, makes a distinction between the oppressed poor and the slothful or lazy poor." This does not mean that these individuals should not be helped, but it does mean that in order to give true aid the sinful behaviors that helped to contribute to the problem must also be addressed. Governments cannot be as individually discerning as individuals, families and churches.
If an individual is unwilling to commit himself to working upon his moral flaws, then it is not uncaring to cease to care for his physical needs. In fact, like the prodigal son, his physical suffering may be the very means of God's bringing him to repentance.
4. Helping the poor should be founded upon the principle of work. This is based upon 2 Thessalonians 3:10 — "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." Rather than promoting harshness or cruelty, this principle encourages dignity in the recipient of aid. Understanding rightly what a person's capabilities are and finding opportunities for meaningful work are not best accomplished by the government. And determining when a person is unwilling to work is a very delicate matter that should be approached by someone who personally understands the person and situation.
Having a correct vision for helping the poor will not remove all poverty. As long as we live in a fallen world, their will be poverty. But responding to poverty with a vision that takes into consideration the sinfulness of man, the power of love, the complexity of the problem and the individual's ability to discern root causes and provide accountability just makes sense.
Mike Thompson is the pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church. E-mail michaelethompson@charterinternet.com.
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