Biblical Answer

The Compassionate Heart of Jesus

Jesus teaches us that helping others in need is a fundamental aspect of being His followers. We see this in the way He responded to the widow of Nain, who had lost her only son (Luke 7:11-17). Jesus saw her grief and was moved to action, raising her son from the dead. This story illustrates the importance of compassion and the willingness to help those in need. Jesus does not say that we should only help those who are deserving or those who are easy to help. Rather, He shows us that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves our care and compassion.

The Call to Help Others

Jesus teaches us that helping others is not just a matter of charity or benevolence, but a fundamental aspect of our relationship with Him. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches that when we help others, we are actually helping Him. He says, "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." In this passage, Jesus makes it clear that our actions towards others are a reflection of our relationship with Him. When we help others, we are demonstrating our love and loyalty to Jesus.

The Importance of Sacrificial Giving

Jesus teaches us that helping others is not just a matter of giving what we have, but also giving what we are. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. The widow's persistence in seeking justice for herself and her family is a testament to her faith and determination. Jesus is teaching us that our giving should be sacrificial, not just giving what we have, but also giving what we are. We should be willing to lay down our lives for others, just as Jesus laid down His life for us. This means that we should be willing to share our resources with the needy, particularly in the believing community. By doing so, we are demonstrating our love and loyalty to Jesus and reflecting His character to the world.