How to Help the Poor - 3

3. Helping the Poor Today

     In the last lesson we looked at several Biblical remedies for poverty. In the Old Testament farmers were required to leave grain in their fields for the poor. Slaves were given freedom and debts were cancelled every seventh year. In the New Testament Jesus and the Apostle Paul collected offerings to give to the poor. The Christians of the church in Jerusalem voluntarily pooled their resources to help one another. Paul said we should “do good to all, especially to the household of faith” (Galatians 6.10). James 2.14-19 stresses that Christians need to help the poor. Yet Jesus said in Mark 14.3-9 that the poor will be with us always, and that the gospel of salvation is foundation for all help that we might give for the poor. 

 

1. Support for the Poor Through Our Regular Offerings  

 

     These services of the church are often offered to all free of charge: Worship, Bible Study (for all ages), Counseling, Pastoral Care, Evangelism, Food Pantry, Emergency Assistance, Scholarships, Micro-Loans

 

2. These Organizations Are Often Supported by Local Churches.

 

     LCMS Disaster Relief

     Orphan Grain Train

     Salvation Army

     Pregnancy Centers

     Food Pantries

     Lutheran Hour Ministries

 

3. These Are Some of the Most Well-Known “Christian” Missions to the Poor

Samaritan’s Purse

Lutheran World Relief

Operation Blessing

Catholic Relief Services

World Vision

Salvation Army

Bread for the World

Compassion International

Food for the Poor

 

4. These Are Some of the Current Strategies Used to Help the Poor

 

Asset Based Development & Asset Mapping: Approach development by looking first not to the needs but to the assets of the community. Look to what is good and build on that.

Participatory Learning: Involving the community in the plan for development

Family Advocates: Single mothers were matched with family advocates who worked with them to improve the situation. 

Jobs for Life: This program involves classroom training, mentors and businesses that work with poor people to get them into good jobs.

Micro Loans: Small loans to help the poor start businesses

Individual Development Accounts: This program provides matching funds to the poor to help them build savings.

Savings and Credit Associations: This is like micro loans except that the loans come from the people within the community rather than from outside donors.

Business as Missions: This program helps start for profit businesses within a poor community that will help provide jobs.

Circle of Allies: This is a mentoring program in which allies (mentors) and participants meet monthly and at other times to plan and work together for development.

5. How Shall We Evaluate Poverty Programs?

 

     A. Is the mission to feed both body and soul?

 

     B. What proportion of donations are spent on administration and advertising vs. actual help. 

 

     C. How is the mission connected to the local church? 

 

     D. How does the mission focus on sustainable transformation?

Pastor Michael P. Walther, Vacancy Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois