Biblical Answer

The Importance of Helping the Poor in Jesus' Teaching

Jesus taught us that helping the poor is a fundamental aspect of his kingdom and a key aspect of our relationship with God. In Luke 6:20-21, he says, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." This passage emphasizes that God's favor and blessing are extended to those who are poor, hungry, and weeping, highlighting the importance of showing compassion to those in need.

Jesus' teachings also emphasize the importance of generosity and open-handedness towards the poor. In Luke 6:6-11, he teaches that God is generous and open-handed towards the poor and needy, and that we should follow his example. This is in line with the Old Testament command to be generous to one another (Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 14:29; 16:10-11), and the practice of the early Christians to help the poor with gifts, not just loans. Jesus reminds us that acts of devotion and acts of compassion for the poor are not mutually exclusive, and that we should be open-handed towards our fellow Israelites who are poor and needy.

Jesus' teachings on helping the poor are not just about providing physical assistance, but also about showing love and care for those in need. In John 13:27-29, it is recorded that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, a symbol of his love and service to them. He teaches us that providing even basic support for his disciples, knowing that they belong to and work for him, is a way of showing love and care for them. This emphasizes the importance of helping the poor not just as a moral obligation, but as a way of expressing love and care for those in need.