FEED THE POOR

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Although it is the responsibility of the Lord to take care of the poor, He has committed it into the hands of those who are not poor. The way He has chosen is to bless those who are not poor that they may look after the poor. Responding to this task is therefore tantamount to doing the Lord’s work and neglecting it is disobedience unto the Lord. In Deuteronomy 15:11, we read;

“For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I COMMAND you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’”

(Emphasis added).

Looking after the poor is not an option for those who are not poor among God’s people. It is a command of the Lord. There are many portions in the Bible where God instructed the Israelites to take care of the poor among them. The Lord specifically asked them to treat the poor specially and always be ready to help them. Clearly, the Lord told them in Deuteronomy 15:7-8;

“If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.” 

And in verse 9 the Lord also said if they gave the poor nothing and the poor cried to Him against them, it would be a sin in them.

Also, when our Lord Jesus Christ came, it was observed that He always fed the poor. During the Last Supper, when Jesus had finished teaching his disciples, He was troubled in spirit and then said one of the disciples would betray Him. None of the disciples knew who it was that would betray Him and Peter gestured to the disciple who was reclining on Jesus’ bosom, asking him who it was that Jesus was speaking about. And Jesus said it was the one to whom He would dip the morsel and give. So when Jesus had dipped the morsel, He gave it to Judas Iscariot. And Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly.” Now the Bible says no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose Jesus had said this to Judas. But they thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was telling Judas to buy the things they had need of for the feast; or else, that he should give something to the poor. So in the ministry of Jesus Christ, giving to the poor was what He always and normally did. It was as if Jesus did not use money to do anything else apart from serving God. Because the only thing the disciples could think of was either that Judas should buy what was needed for the Passover feast or give to the poor, as always.

Also, after the ascension of our Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the mighty revival caused everyone to sell what they had to give to those in need. And the Bible says in Acts 4:34-35;

“For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”

And as the church increased, they continued in like manner. Ensuring everyone’s need was met. In Acts 6:1, it is written that the widows who were in need were DAILY served food by the church. And when complaints arose because some were not served, the apostles ensured that the problem was instantly resolved. By the leading of the Holy Spirit, seven deacons were chosen to handle this affair while the apostles gave themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. The three clear works the early disciples were doing were praying, ministering the word and feeding the poor.

Also, years after Paul became a believer, he went up by revelation to Jerusalem to communicate the gospel he was preaching among the Gentiles to the apostles. And he said nothing was contributed to him but “was only asked to remember the poor – the very thing I (Paul) also was eager to do.” (Galatians 2:10). 

So, it was a very important work in the time of the early apostles. Something that should not be neglected. And we see when Paul began to plant churches, he was fully involved in caring for the poor. As a matter of fact, it could not be separated from his real ministry. He was always ensuring the church took care of the poor. Paul referred to feeding the poor as a ministry. He said in Romans 15:25-26;

“But now I go unto Jerusalem to MINISTER UNTO THE SAINTS. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” KJV. 

(Emphasis added). 

And in 2 Corinthians 8:3-4, he said that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord. And that they were even begging him and his coworkers with much urging for the favour of participation in the support of the saints. 

Just as it has been, so it is incumbent on the present day church as a whole and on every individual Christian to take care of the poor and see that feeding the poor is a ministry God has committed into their hands. 

“Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:17).