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The Hidden Blessings in Helping the Poor


By Vladimir Savchuk | January 23, 2025 | 7 mins

The Hidden Blessings in Helping the Poor

Psalm 41:2 says, “The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.” This verse became personal to me after my first trip to the Philippines. God revealed promises that are not just for me but for all who follow His Word. These promises include protection from enemies, strength in times of trouble, and blessings to touch lives beyond our immediate surroundings.

The Bible often talks about various blessings and although we all desires these gifts, the Bible teaches that they come with a condition: caring for the poor. Here are the blessings outlined and 6 Biblical reasons to help the poor.

7 Blessings for Considering the Poor

  1. Deliverance in times of trouble: Caring for the poor does not exempt you from trouble, but God promises to deliver you.
  2. Preservation: God will preserve you and keep you alive.
  3. Revival: He will revive your life when you feel weak.
  4. Blessings on earth: God will bless you to be a blessing to others.
  5. Deliverance from enemies: He will protect you from the will of your enemies.
  6. Strength in weakness: God will strengthen you on your sickbed.
  7. Recovery in weakness: He will sustain and recover you during challenging times.

6 Biblical Reasons to Help the Poor

1. God Identifies with the Poor, How We Treat Them is How We Treat Him

Proverbs 14:31 says, “He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.” This means that if you have mercy on the poor, you honor God. Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” When you help a poor person with groceries, rent, or gifts for their children, you are actually loaning to God.

We often make assumptions about the poor. For example, when you see a homeless person, you may think, “I know what they’re going to spend the money on.” But God calls us to have mercy and not jump to conclusions.

2. Jesus Identifies with the Poor; How We Treat Them Will Determine If We Will Be Accepted or Condemned

Next the Bible says in Matthew 25:34-40, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’”

When the righteous ask, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty?” Jesus responds, “What you did for the least, you did for Me.” Jesus became poor that we might be rich. He showed us how to help the poor by preaching the gospel to them, being born in a stable, and living a humble life. Jesus borrowed a donkey, a tomb, and even a womb.

If you want to honor Jesus, you can find Him in the poor and needy.

3. Those Who Have Opened Their Heart to God But Closed Their Hearts to the Poor Are Liars

We also see that Isaiah 58 says, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?”

The Bible says that pure religion involves caring for widows and orphans while remaining pure in the world. This teaches us that our faith must be accompanied by works, especially in helping those in need.

4. Early Church Had Two Main Offices: Episkop and Daikon

Additionally, we see that the early church prioritized helping the poor. Galatians 2:10 says, “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” The church had two main offices: Episkop, meaning elder, and Daikon, meaning someone who oversaw charity. When the apostles sent Paul to minister to the Gentiles, they reminded him to remember the poor. We should also learn from their intentions and example.

5. Helping the Poor is Called Mercy and Doing Justice

Luke 10:37 calls helping the poor an act of mercy, and Isaiah 58 and Jeremiah 22 describe it as justice.

Christians are called to help bring change and aid to those who are suffering in different types of environments. We are meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

6. Giving to the Poor is Not Only Our Moral Obligation but It’s a Gospel Response

Lastly, we see that 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Here we can see that helping the poor is a response to the gospel. We forgive because He forgave us, we love because He loved us, and we help the poor because He became poor for us.

I pray this encourages you to be the hands and feet of Jesus right where you are. Pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to the needs around you.

Read: Church History for Beginners


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