Obligation to Give to the Poor

Jesus said when you give your alms, do not let your right hand know what your left hand does. The implication is that Christians are to give alms. Some of us don't hear that word much-- alms. But back then, there were beggars asking for money. Peter had no silver or gold with him in the temple, but pulled a crippled man up on his feet declaring him healed in the name of Jesus.

Job cursed his arm to fall off if he had denied the desire of the poor, hand not shared his bread with the fatherless, or let any of the needy perish for lack of clothing. I John3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

The Lord Jesus also spoke of giving to the poor.

But I heard and read the attitude from some American Christians-- don't give to him. He'll spend it all on liquor. He makes more money begging that you and me both. I have heard the idea that you shouldn't give money to the homeless.

There are churches that give a lot to the poor. But there are other churches, while they will give to missionaries, even missionaries doing some giving to the poor, they don't have so much as a benevolence fund for the poor among themselves. When I look in the Bible, the earlier church used money and other gifts for these causes:

- distributing to each one as he had need.
- feeding widows.
- 'Honoring' widows
- 'Honoring' elders
- supporting those who preached the gospel.
- Gentiles sending money to poor saints in Judea from whence the Gospel had come.

It seems like honoring elders and supporting preachers gets a lot of emphasis among evangelicals, but support for the poor varies widely.

There is an emphasis on giving to the poor. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) delivered money for the poor from Antioch to Jerusalem. Paul was involved with fund raising for poor saints in Judea mentioned in epistles like Romans and I Corinthians.

I do not see any evidence that the first century church used any money it collected on church buildings.

The Bible also says to do good to all men, especially them that believe. Very early believers in Jerusalem had all things in common, giving to each man as he had need. The implication is that there should be some kind of emphasis on supporting poor believers.

The Lord Jesus also spoke of giving to the poor.

But I heard and read the attitude from some American Christians-- don't give to him. He'll spend it all on liquor. He makes more money begging that you and me both. I have heard the idea that you shouldn't give money to the homeless.

It seems like honoring elders and supporting preachers gets a lot of emphasis among evangelicals, but support for the poor varies widely.

Yes, support for the poor varies widely among Christians. There is a fine line between helping someone versus enabling them to continue living on assistance. There is also the question of how much and/or for how long we should help. I believe many conservative Christians struggle with this. Conservative Christians put a lot of importance on individual responsibility.

Jesus said when you give your alms, do not let your right hand know what your left hand does. The implication is that Christians are to give alms. Some of us don't hear that word much-- alms. But back then, there were beggars asking for money. Peter had no silver or gold with him in the temple, but pulled a crippled man up on his feet declaring him healed in the name of Jesus.

Job cursed his arm to fall off if he had denied the desire of the poor, hand not shared his bread with the fatherless, or let any of the needy perish for lack of clothing. I John3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

The Lord Jesus also spoke of giving to the poor.

But I heard and read the attitude from some American Christians-- don't give to him. He'll spend it all on liquor. He makes more money begging that you and me both. I have heard the idea that you shouldn't give money to the homeless.

There are churches that give a lot to the poor. But there are other churches, while they will give to missionaries, even missionaries doing some giving to the poor, they don't have so much as a benevolence fund for the poor among themselves. When I look in the Bible, the earlier church used money and other gifts for these causes:

- distributing to each one as he had need.
- feeding widows.
- 'Honoring' widows
- 'Honoring' elders
- supporting those who preached the gospel.
- Gentiles sending money to poor saints in Judea from whence the Gospel had come.

It seems like honoring elders and supporting preachers gets a lot of emphasis among evangelicals, but support for the poor varies widely.

There is an emphasis on giving to the poor. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) delivered money for the poor from Antioch to Jerusalem. Paul was involved with fund raising for poor saints in Judea mentioned in epistles like Romans and I Corinthians.

I do not see any evidence that the first century church used any money it collected on church buildings.

The Bible also says to do good to all men, especially them that believe. Very early believers in Jerusalem had all things in common, giving to each man as he had need. The implication is that there should be some kind of emphasis on supporting poor believers.

Well, here's the issue, there's also something called "panhandling". In the city next to us a news crew followed these people standing at the lights and proved they were running a scam. They have told people do not give to panhandlers. The police have said the same thing. No, I don't want to give money to a scam artist, I want it to go to people who are in need. And yes some will spend it on drugs and alcohol, that's why you offer to buy a meal or give in a way that they can't misuse the money.

Jesus said when you give your alms, do not let your right hand know what your left hand does. The implication is that Christians are to give alms. Some of us don't hear that word much-- alms. But back then, there were beggars asking for money. Peter had no silver or gold with him in the temple, but pulled a crippled man up on his feet declaring him healed in the name of Jesus.

Job cursed his arm to fall off if he had denied the desire of the poor, hand not shared his bread with the fatherless, or let any of the needy perish for lack of clothing. I John3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

The Lord Jesus also spoke of giving to the poor.

But I heard and read the attitude from some American Christians-- don't give to him. He'll spend it all on liquor. He makes more money begging that you and me both. I have heard the idea that you shouldn't give money to the homeless.

There are churches that give a lot to the poor. But there are other churches, while they will give to missionaries, even missionaries doing some giving to the poor, they don't have so much as a benevolence fund for the poor among themselves. When I look in the Bible, the earlier church used money and other gifts for these causes:

- distributing to each one as he had need.
- feeding widows.
- 'Honoring' widows
- 'Honoring' elders
- supporting those who preached the gospel.
- Gentiles sending money to poor saints in Judea from whence the Gospel had come.

It seems like honoring elders and supporting preachers gets a lot of emphasis among evangelicals, but support for the poor varies widely.

There is an emphasis on giving to the poor. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) delivered money for the poor from Antioch to Jerusalem. Paul was involved with fund raising for poor saints in Judea mentioned in epistles like Romans and I Corinthians.

I do not see any evidence that the first century church used any money it collected on church buildings.

The Bible also says to do good to all men, especially them that believe. Very early believers in Jerusalem had all things in common, giving to each man as he had need. The implication is that there should be some kind of emphasis on supporting poor believers.

The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil and that is because it neglects the poor and the needy which love is the fulfilling of the law which includes caring about their needs.

Paul said that he could have all faith so that he could remove mountains but if he did not have charity then he is nothing which charity is love in action.

James points out doing works to care about the poor and needy with food and clothing and if a person has the ability to do so but does not do it then their faith is dead.

Paul said that charity, love in action, is greater than faith and faith works by love.

Love is the greatest attribute a Christian.

We are supposed to care about the poor and needy and should be a priority because the money that is given to the Church is supposed to help the poor and the needy like the early Church that sold all they had that was not a necessity and laid it at the apostles feet and they distributed the money to all the people that had need.

Revelation 3:14-17 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

A lot of people who claim Christianity have this attitude where they are hypocritical and love money and material things.

Jesus said when you give your alms, do not let your right hand know what your left hand does. The implication is that Christians are to give alms. Some of us don't hear that word much-- alms. But back then, there were beggars asking for money. Peter had no silver or gold with him in the temple, but pulled a crippled man up on his feet declaring him healed in the name of Jesus.

Job cursed his arm to fall off if he had denied the desire of the poor, hand not shared his bread with the fatherless, or let any of the needy perish for lack of clothing. I John3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

The Lord Jesus also spoke of giving to the poor.

But I heard and read the attitude from some American Christians-- don't give to him. He'll spend it all on liquor. He makes more money begging that you and me both. I have heard the idea that you shouldn't give money to the homeless.

There are churches that give a lot to the poor. But there are other churches, while they will give to missionaries, even missionaries doing some giving to the poor, they don't have so much as a benevolence fund for the poor among themselves. When I look in the Bible, the earlier church used money and other gifts for these causes:

- distributing to each one as he had need.
- feeding widows.
- 'Honoring' widows
- 'Honoring' elders
- supporting those who preached the gospel.
- Gentiles sending money to poor saints in Judea from whence the Gospel had come.

It seems like honoring elders and supporting preachers gets a lot of emphasis among evangelicals, but support for the poor varies widely.

There is an emphasis on giving to the poor. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) delivered money for the poor from Antioch to Jerusalem. Paul was involved with fund raising for poor saints in Judea mentioned in epistles like Romans and I Corinthians.

I do not see any evidence that the first century church used any money it collected on church buildings.

The Bible also says to do good to all men, especially them that believe. Very early believers in Jerusalem had all things in common, giving to each man as he had need. The implication is that there should be some kind of emphasis on supporting poor believers.

We will never balance these things perfectly... but we are to try.


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Jesus said when you give your alms, do not let your right hand know what your left hand does. The implication is that Christians are to give alms. Some of us don't hear that word much-- alms. But back then, there were beggars asking for money. Peter had no silver or gold with him in the temple, but pulled a crippled man up on his feet declaring him healed in the name of Jesus.

Job cursed his arm to fall off if he had denied the desire of the poor, hand not shared his bread with the fatherless, or let any of the needy perish for lack of clothing. I John3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

The Lord Jesus also spoke of giving to the poor.

But I heard and read the attitude from some American Christians-- don't give to him. He'll spend it all on liquor. He makes more money begging that you and me both. I have heard the idea that you shouldn't give money to the homeless.

There are churches that give a lot to the poor. But there are other churches, while they will give to missionaries, even missionaries doing some giving to the poor, they don't have so much as a benevolence fund for the poor among themselves. When I look in the Bible, the earlier church used money and other gifts for these causes:

- distributing to each one as he had need.
- feeding widows.
- 'Honoring' widows
- 'Honoring' elders
- supporting those who preached the gospel.
- Gentiles sending money to poor saints in Judea from whence the Gospel had come.

It seems like honoring elders and supporting preachers gets a lot of emphasis among evangelicals, but support for the poor varies widely.

There is an emphasis on giving to the poor. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) delivered money for the poor from Antioch to Jerusalem. Paul was involved with fund raising for poor saints in Judea mentioned in epistles like Romans and I Corinthians.

I do not see any evidence that the first century church used any money it collected on church buildings.

The Bible also says to do good to all men, especially them that believe. Very early believers in Jerusalem had all things in common, giving to each man as he had need. The implication is that there should be some kind of emphasis on supporting poor believers.

As for giving to the poor, those in need, Jesus never commands He only asks. Review Matthew's 'Judgement of Nations', whenever you give to those in need, you are giving to Jesus Himself.

You are correct, the very earlist Christians generally met in their homes. It wasn't until the 2d and 3d centuries when actual 'Church buildings' were constructed. And these buildings definitely required contributions of money and effort from their congregation.

Yes, support for the poor varies widely among Christians. There is a fine line between helping someone versus enabling them to continue living on assistance. There is also the question of how much and/or for how long we should help. I believe many conservative Christians struggle with this. Conservative Christians put a lot of importance on individual responsibility.

I'm also reminded of a story that my uncle in Florida told me. One day, my uncle was at the airport, and a panhandler asked him for money. My uncle offered to buy the man something to eat and drink, and the man laughed in his face. When my uncle asked him why he laughed, the man told him that he made $500 a day panhandling at the airport, and he told my uncle that he could keep his food and drink.

Jesus said when you give your alms, do not let your right hand know what your left hand does. The implication is that Christians are to give alms. Some of us don't hear that word much-- alms. But back then, there were beggars asking for money. Peter had no silver or gold with him in the temple, but pulled a crippled man up on his feet declaring him healed in the name of Jesus.

Job cursed his arm to fall off if he had denied the desire of the poor, hand not shared his bread with the fatherless, or let any of the needy perish for lack of clothing. I John3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

The Lord Jesus also spoke of giving to the poor.

But I heard and read the attitude from some American Christians-- don't give to him. He'll spend it all on liquor. He makes more money begging that you and me both. I have heard the idea that you shouldn't give money to the homeless.

There are churches that give a lot to the poor. But there are other churches, while they will give to missionaries, even missionaries doing some giving to the poor, they don't have so much as a benevolence fund for the poor among themselves. When I look in the Bible, the earlier church used money and other gifts for these causes:

- distributing to each one as he had need.
- feeding widows.
- 'Honoring' widows
- 'Honoring' elders
- supporting those who preached the gospel.
- Gentiles sending money to poor saints in Judea from whence the Gospel had come.

It seems like honoring elders and supporting preachers gets a lot of emphasis among evangelicals, but support for the poor varies widely.

There is an emphasis on giving to the poor. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) delivered money for the poor from Antioch to Jerusalem. Paul was involved with fund raising for poor saints in Judea mentioned in epistles like Romans and I Corinthians.

I do not see any evidence that the first century church used any money it collected on church buildings.

The Bible also says to do good to all men, especially them that believe. Very early believers in Jerusalem had all things in common, giving to each man as he had need. The implication is that there should be some kind of emphasis on supporting poor believers.