God's BIG heart for the poor

“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:24

Do you know how much God loves the poor? I think only He knows! Do you know how much Jesus spoke of his compassion for the needy? If may surprise you to discover that the Jesus speaks about his love for the poor hundreds of times. His passion for the poor was counter-cultural in the day and confronting to those who heard it.

Do you feel confronted when you hear biblical commands like this one?

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

Do you get that sticky feeling in your gut as if you haven’t done enough, as the poverty and need of the world is too much for you to grasp? I feel like that all of the time. I felt like that when I held sick orphaned babies in Uganda, I felt like that when I spoke with my homeless friends about their desperate situations and I feel like that when I watch the horrors of the daily news.

But, God doesn’t want you to feel helpless and guilt-ridden! He wants to free you to serve with what he has given you! God says:

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

God’s desire for us is to use what he has given us; gifts, resources, talents, money and time. He wants us to use these things to serve the poor, to be kind to the needy and to uphold the cause of the oppressed.

Don’t be overwhelmed, just start somewhere!

Has God blessed you financially, that you might be able to give to a charity or to a friend in need? Do you have time that you could use to physically serve a local, or international organisation? Do you have a degree that you could give your services for free to the needy in your community? Can you use your influence to be a voice for those in need? Is there a sick friend, or new parent that you might be able to cook a meal for? Do you have the desire in your heart to serve internationally on mission?

The list goes on… I assure you if you simply do some research (and prayer!), you may find a cause to support. If you don’t – start something! Rally together like-minded people and have faith that God will bless and guide your way. God not only desires, but commands us to serve and love the poor and needy. He loves them, and we must love them too.

“I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” Psalm 140:12 Lucy is a primary teacher from Sydney. She is passionate about social justice and loves serving her local community in practical ways. She is wife to husband Elliot, enjoys blogging and loves spending her days teaching.