The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

JESUS, HIS FOLLOWERS AND THE POOR

A trend in evangelical circles is the emphasis on being socially conscious, which includes caring for the weak and vulnerable. This trend, however, is nothing new.

The Old Testament leaves little room to doubt God’s perspective on this issue: he cares about human suffering and calls his people to do the same. In these verses, Moses tied an Israelite’s holiness before the Lord to a faithful tithe and providing for the foreigner, fatherless and widow (along with the Levite) according to the command of God (v. 13). Without doubt, the Hebrews could not claim to live a satisfactory life according to God’s Word without caring for the vulnerable people around them. The consistent theme evident throughout Deuteronomy is this: righteousness is not the result of works performed, but rather works are an expected outcome of the faith of persons within the covenant community. God expected his people to care about the hurting and disadvantaged among them because renewed and circumcised hearts gave them a love for such people.

The New Testament, much like the Old Testament, is straightforward in teaching that God cares about human suffering and calls his people to do the same. The life and teachings of Jesus, the ministry of the early church in Acts (Ac 4:34 – 35) and the exhortations of Paul (Ro 12:13) all point to this fact: God wants his people to care for the weak and vulnerable around them.

Christ taught his followers to be compassionate and merciful to those who are weary and heavy laden. There is a clear connection between righteousness and good works in caring for the weak and vulnerable (Lk 10:29 – 37). Christ assumed that his followers would assist the needy in meeting their physical needs (Mt 6:2 – 3). In the vein of Jesus’ teachings and actions, believers are to clothe and feed the homeless, care for the neglected, and love all people. Jesus made an obvious connection that should propel all Christians to action — that is, those who have true righteousness in Christ will care for the “least of these” among us (Mt 25:34 – 40).

Jesus, help me to be aware of and sensitive to the needs of those around me, and enable me to meet these needs in your name. Amen.