How to Help the Poor 1 (Bible Study)

 How to Help the Poor

 

1. The Causes of Poverty

 

Introduction

     

     Moses taught Israel: For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land’ (Deuteronomy 15.11). Poverty is a complicated problem that causes much suffering in the world. Yet at the same time there is great wealth in this world. Why does this happen, and how should Christians respond to it? If all the wealth of the world were distributed evenly to all people, would that solve the problem of poverty? Are there other (better) ways to address the problem of poverty? I hope this Bible study will help answer some of these questions and encourage us to do all that we can to love our neighbors.

 

1. Discuss the following causes of poverty and the typical responses. How would you change this chart or add to it?

 

Causes of Poverty	Responses
Ignorance, Lack of Knowledge	Education
Oppression by Powerful People	Work for Social Justice
Laziness, Drug & Alcohol Addiction	Evangelism
Religious Beliefs (Karma, Evil Spirits, etc.)	Evangelism
Local Violence	Work for Social Justice
Lack of Material Resources	Give Resources / Help People Move
Lack of Jobs	Economic Development
Debt	Education / Economic Development
Mental Illness	Social Care

 

2. Has there been progress?

 

     Various studies show that extreme poverty* has been reduced substantially across the globe (as much as 50%). Most of that reduction has been in China.

 

     * Living on less than $1.25/day

 

3. What does the Bible say? 

 

     Exodus-Deuteronomy – There are many references to the poor and ways to help the poor. But there is no discussion of the cause of poverty. You often hear, “when a person becomes poor.”

 

     Ruth – Here poverty was caused by a famine in Israel. However, this is also the time of the Judges when there was a lot of lawlessness and violence.

 

     Job and Psalms – The predominate cause of poverty mentioned is oppression such as Psalm 72.4: “He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.”

 

Proverbs – There are a number of references pointing to personal responsibility as a cause of poverty.  In Proverbs 10:4 we read, “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

 

The Prophets – There is a strong emphasis on the cause of oppression as in Isaiah 3:15 “What do you mean by crushing My people and grinding the faces of the poor?” Says the Lord God of hosts.”

 

New Testament – The poor are often grouped together with the sick, the lame, the blind, the widowed, etc. 

 

4. Poverty is undoubtably a sin problem. Sometimes the sin is personal. Sometimes it is oppressive. Sometimes it is both. Poverty can also be caused by a lack of resources and innovation. 

 

5. Can the problem of poverty be solved? 

 

     There are many organizations, both Christian and secular, that are trying to find ways to help the poor. Even secularists acknowledge that the problem of poverty is complicated, and despite billions of dollars in aid and much effort, the problem of poverty remains. There is an obvious difference between Christian aid organizations and secular aid organizations. Secularists often believe that poverty can be eliminated through resources, education and innovation. Christians believe that poverty will never be eliminated until the problem of sin is eliminated, as Jesus said, “For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always” (Matthew 26.11).  Christian aid organizations seek to solve the problem of both spiritual and physical poverty. 

 

6. Does that mean we should give up trying to help the poor?

 

     Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

 

     2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

 

     The second great commandment tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. The causes of poverty are complicated, and that will be important as we consider the best ways to help the poor. As difficult as it may be, we certain have God’s command to do good to all.