New Horizons Online Ministry
Reaching Out
Helping the Poor
Christians are commanded to help one another but we are also called to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Proverbs 21:13 is among the most powerful calls from God to help those who are hungry because “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” First John 3:17 states that, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Job wrote, “I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them” (Job 29:12).
God asked, “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood” (Isaiah 58:7)? We also need to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Prov 31:8-9). In fact, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” (Prov 29:7).
Jesus Warns of Those Who Ignore the Poor
Jesus gave a startling wake up call to all who would profess their belief in Him in. When Jesus comes to the earth and judges between the sheep and the goats, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me‘“ (Matthew 25:41-45).
Sodom sinned the sin of not helping the poor as they were “arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy” (Ezk 16:49). Being a Christian means to be Christ-like.
The other day I was bringing some supplies to a few of the homeless in downtown New Orleans.
Originally I was to meet up with some others, however I got side sidetracked.
I had a van full of clothes as well as some jackets and shoes. and a case of sealable carry bottles for keeping things dry and crush proof.
I was approaching the mission in downtown New Orleans. When I noticed a few service men from the Navy just setting things up in the back of a truck. I turned around pulled up in front. I was greeted by a Seaman and a Petty Officer they were giving out free pizza meals and drinks to the homeless.
So I spread out all the clothing and bottles onto the van and a table and we gave away every bit of clothing and food that was brought.
It was obvious to me that the Lord placed me in that spot at that time.
What surprised me was they new I was former military myself before we ever even talked about it.
So together with the help of a few Naval service members (heros in my eyes), New Horizons Ministry and my self we were able to put a few smiles on some faces.
All by the grace of God.
