How is the Best Way to Help the Poor?
By Peter Salemi
What is the solution to the dilemma posed by poverty? Clearly the welfare programs of this world have not solved the problem and there is a reason for this. Billions of tax payer dollars are spent on welfare programs to help the poor, yet the situation is getting worse and worse. Is there a way to eradicate poverty?
God’s way vs. Man’s Way
While proclaiming 1983 the “Year of the Bible,” U.S. President Ronald Reagan declared, “Inside its [the Bible’s] pages lie all the answers to all the problems man has ever known.” How right he is! The Bible reveals the answers to all the problems of mankind. That includes the problem of caring for the poor, the unemployed, the disadvantaged.
But in today’s world man thinks they can come up with their own way to eradicate poverty. Many dumb politicians always put forth the “Robin Hood Scenario” of taking from the rich and giving to the poor and this of course never works-the ones that end up paying is the poor and middle class in the end.
Socialism was another system implemented on people to eradicate poverty (equal distribution of wealth) and that just led to more poverty and oppression. The Soviet Union and other socialist regimes utterly collapsed and poverty was rampant. Governments think they have the policies and programs to eradicate poverty. But they do not!
According to the Bible, it is not primarily a responsibility of big government to care for the needy, the unemployed and the elderly. It is rather individual responsibility. Moses and Jesus taught forcibly that it is the individual’s duty to help the needy (see Matt. 25:34-46). Look around you. Have today’s humanly devised programs, many of which are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, really solved the problems of poverty, well intended they may be?
God says, “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him…” (Lev 25:35) God says, “thou shalt relieve him” (Lev. 25:35)-you as an individual! It is the primary responsibility of the local community-including the nuclear or the extended family of the poor and needy-to help their own. In addition, there must be a willingness to help those in need who have migrated to one’s area in search of better opportunities- the “stranger or sojourner” (same verse). Before big government got involved, individuals, churches, and charities took care of the poor; and at that time taxes were a lot lower, and government was a lot smaller.
It is not about Just Giving
Notice God’s way of handling the situation: “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him…” (Lev 25:35). Notice God says to “relieve” him. God does not say to “direct him to the nearest government agency where he or she might qualify for a barely sufficient handout-one that tends to perpetuate dependence.” Welfare has a place, but it should not be a resting place for people to just live off of the government or churches or charities! Wattles writes about just giving, “all charity only tends to perpetuate the wretchedness it aims to eradicate” (The Science of Getting Rich, p. 30, emphasis added). “All charities” today tend to just give- just giving is not the cure to poverty; instead it keeps them in poverty. We give to “relieve” the poor of their poverty, “relieve the oppressed,” (Isa 1:17). Nothing oppresses people more than poverty. This is the purpose for giving! To “relieve” them, not keep them in their poverty which is what just giving does! When we just give the poor just live off of the donations, then “ye have the poor with you always,” (Mark 14:7; Deut 15:11).
The poor in our lands need a helping hand to get back on their feet,-this is the reason for giving “thou shalt relieve him” or to get on their feet for the first time, to become self-sufficient members of the community. This help may include personal instruction (see below) so that the mistakes made in the past that brought on the poverty can be avoided in the future. “You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land,” God commands (Deut. 15:11). This is for the sole purpose of “relief” not for the poor to live off of donations for the rest of their lives-this just perpetuates poverty; not just for the poor, but also for charities, churches, and these days’ governments. The expenses become so great, governments, charities and churches become bankrupt because of the costs.
Some hesitate to help the Poor
In today’s society, people are often suspicious and hesitant about helping those who appear to be needy; and some suspicions are warranted. There are indeed some who are poor because of simple laziness. There are those who could work, who could better themselves, but who prefer to live off handouts. Instances of welfare cheaters and social parasites have turned people away from caring for the truly deserving. God’s program does not tolerate laziness and dishonesty. “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat,” the Bible declares (2 Thess 3:10).
Many places in the Bible God condemns laziness, and it is this that makes people poor, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich… The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute… The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Proverbs 10:4; 12:24; 13:4). All the more reason to shift the responsibility for caring for the needy from huge impersonal government agencies, which have no way of assuring that help is going only to the deserving, to individuals who know their neighbors and who are able to keep up personal contact with them!
“Blessed is he who considers the poor,” the Bible emphasizes; “the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” (Ps. 41:1). God is the Champion of the truly poor and needy. He also promises to liberally bless any who help the underprivileged. He has bound himself to repay what is given: “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given” (Prov. 19:17).
Let the Money flow
Circulating your wealth to help the poor will cause a person to be even more abundant as Solomon says, “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:” (Prov 28:27; see also Deut 15:11).
God is a generous and giving God. His laws express the way of giving as opposed to the way of selfishness, which is the way of this world. Hoarding money is not the way to success-giving is one of the keys to success and wealth. Money is called “currency.” Like water money needs to flow and work, not to sit still and do nothing. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). People who give will be blessed-this is the key to success. This must be done with the right intent, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinth 9:7).
Wisdom to fight Poverty
Why is it that 70-80% of people who win the lottery go broke within one year? People have won millions of dollars and what do they say to the press? Not one winner says, “These 30 million dollars, I am going to turn it into 60 million dollars.” Instead they just continue to spend and spend their riches away thinking that it won’t end, and then they end up in a worse place than they were before they won the money! This is the result of just giving money to people! Why does this happen? This occurs because people lack WISDOM! Without wisdom, people will always go poor!
Christians who give to the poor to “relieve” them (get them back on their feet) must also teach the poor the wisdom of abundance so they don’t’ get into poverty again. Just giving doesn’t get rid of poverty-wisdom does: “for the price of wisdom is above rubies.” (Job 28:18; Prov 8:11).
Notice, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Prov 4:7; Prov 16:16). A wealthy American industrialist once said, “I can be broke tomorrow, get me a team of people with certain skills and a will to work towards a goal and I will be right back in the same place I am today in one year.” Wisdom is the most important thing-the most precious. With wisdom poverty will not happen, “And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Prov 24:4).
Notice what Solomon says about what we should really give to the poor, “He that hath a bountiful eye [mind] shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.” (Prov 22:9). A person with an abundant mindset is blessed. He is blessed with wisdom and instruction which as a result has made him rich and wealthy. Again, “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;” (Prov 21:5).
Then Solomon says, he “giveth of his bread to the poor.” What is this “bread” that a person with the “bountiful eye” [mind] has? Clearly this verse is speaking of the “eye’ meaning this mind. The Hebrew word is “‛ayin” meaning, “of mental and spiritual faculties (figuratively)” (Brown Driver and Briggs Heb Def). So the “bread” here conveys a spiritual meaning.
The “bread” is a symbol of wisdom and understanding (see Proverbs 9:1, 4-6). We are to share “giveth of his bread” the “wisdom” the “knowledge” of abundance with the poor-this is the best way to help the poor! It is not just giving money. This is to relieve them of their poverty. Giving them the wisdom is the true gift! Again to emphasize the point by Wattles about just giving, “all charity only tends to perpetuate the wretchedness it aims to eradicate” (p. 30, emphasis added). Just giving is not the cure to poverty; giving them wisdom is the cure! As the old saying goes, “If I give you a can of tuna you had a meal; but if I teach you HOW [giving wisdom] to fish you will never go hungry again.” Wattles continues, “Poverty can be done away with, not by increasing the number of well to do people who think about poverty, but by increasing the number of poor people who purpose with faith to get rich. The poor do not need charity; they need inspiration. Charity only sends them a loaf of bread to keep them alive in their wretchedness, or gives them an entertainment to make them forget for an hour or two; but inspiration will cause them to rise out of their misery. If you want to help the poor, demonstrate to them that they can become rich; prove it by getting rich yourself” (The Science of Getting Rich, p.31, emphasis added). God did not design just “giving” to the poor to eradicate poverty. No, the book of Proverbs plainly shows that it is wisdom that gets rid of poverty, and brings abundance.
God calls only the Poor?
The Apostle James wrote, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5). Does God call only the poor? Was Jesus Poor? Does God hate the rich? If you think about it, Maybe God calls the poor so they can receive the wisdom to get out of their poverty? Why don’t people think of it this way when it comes to God calling the poor?
Jesus was a wealthy man receiving gifts from the Parthian Magi, gifts for a king! This was held in trust for him till he was old enough to handle it himself. Not to mention he inherited Joseph’s business. He owned 2 houses at least, and wore clothing that the Romans gambled for! With his wealth he sustained his ministry, as well as others willingly donating to his ministry and with it helped the poor. Jesus used his own money, the tithes and offerings wisely for his ministry so it could function and prosper.
There are others like Boaz, Solomon, Joseph of Arimathea, the Roman centurion who believed, Joseph, called Barnabas, Ananias & Sapphira, Cornelius the Centurion, Lydia! God called many people who were rich. So what does James here mean about God calling the “poor of this world”?
Many commentaries recognize that the “poor” is the same poor that Jesus spoke of in Matthew. Notice the similarities, “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him” Matthew 5:3 says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Both poor inherit the Kingdom of God. So the Poor in James are the same as the “Poor in spirit.” What are the “poor in spirit”?
Jesus is speaking of Spiritual poverty, not material. This poverty means those who are, “fully recognize that they have nothing spiritually to offer God. In his commentary on the book of Matthew, Leon Morris states that the ‘poor in spirit’ are ‘those who recognize that they are completely and utterly destitute in the realm of the spirit. They recognize their lack of spiritual resources and therefore their complete dependence on God. Only those that realize they have nothing to offer God can be the recipients of God’s grace.” These are those who are humble in spirit, humble towards God, “This is a theme that stretches throughout Scripture. Isaiah 66:2 says that God looks on the one who is ‘humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.’ One cannot receive the good news of the Gospel if he has not first recognized his own desperate need for it. In this sense, being ‘poor in spirit’ is a prerequisite to receiving the grace of God.” (Article: Why Does Jesus Call the 'Poor in Spirit' Blessed? By Aaron Berry, emphasis added).
“In short, the poor in spirit are those who are humble, those who depend upon God completely for every good, bodily and spiritual.” (Article: What Does It Mean to Be Poor in Spirit? by FR. Sebastian Walshe, emphasis added).
However, being “poor in spirit” “does not mean having a spirit of abjection or wallowing in misery. While it is appropriate for us to have no misconceptions about our own spiritual depravity apart from Jesus, it is inappropriate to elevate self-pity or misery as a virtue. Often, self-debasement is another form of pride disguising itself as a faux humility. Being ‘poor in spirit’ is less of an emotion and more of a recognition of reality—a clear understanding that we have nothing to offer God and a humility that naturally flows from that understanding. Such humility does not wallow in hopelessness, but rather runs to God, desperately calling out for his grace and mercy.” (Article: Why Does Jesus Call the 'Poor in Spirit' Blessed? By Aaron Berry, emphasis added).
Solomon said, “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Prov 16:19; 29:23).
Isaiah again says, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (57:15). These are the ones God calls, the “humble” people with no pride, regardless if they were rich or poor materially. But more poor people respond to the Gospel because rich people unfortunately in this world are full of pride and are not humble, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:” (1 Corinth 1:26).
James continues and says, “But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?” (James 2:6). There were rich men in the church (James 2:2). But the church leaders and the rich church members were acting prideful and treating people who were poor differently than the people who were rich. And said the rich men, meaning the prideful men of the world oppress you and you are doing the same thing in the church? “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:9). This was the problem, not how much money people had, but how people were being treated in the church. If this continued people in the church would be oppressed just like the way the people in the world oppress the church.
Conclusion
The Bible says to “give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21).This is our Christian duty! But as the scriptures show it means to “relieve” them of their poverty, meaning to get them back on their feet, not give them handouts so they live off of people for the rest of their lives-absolutely not! Unfortunately many churches and charities have taking up this this position and are not really helping the poor, but instead, “only tends to perpetuate the wretchedness it aims to eradicate.”
When we give it is not just money, it could be clothes, shoes, food, rebuilding their home due to some tragedy, giving them a job etc.… There are many ways to give!
But the most important part is imparting to them wisdom; learning from previous mistakes, implementing God’s financial principles so they can continue to remain abundance and not fall into the poverty trap again.
Put God’s ways into practice in your life. If you are willing to work hard in the wealth that God has given, the One to whom all wealth belongs will also intervene and continue to, “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4: 19, RA V).
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