Amos 5:12-14

12
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.

There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes
and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
13
Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times,
for the times are evil.

14
Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.

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The New Testament Christian's Responsibilty To The Poor And Disadvantaged

In the New Testament, God also instructed His people to show a deep concern and active compassion for those in need, especially those within the church community.
(1) Much of Jesus' ministry was to the poor and disadvantaged in society-the people no one else seems to care about. This included those who had been missed used and oppressed (Luke 4:18-19), the Samaritans (who had extremely tense relations with Jews, Luke 17:11-19; John 4:1-42), the lepers (Matthew 8:2-4; Luke 17:11-19), the widows (Luke 7:11-15; 20:45-47) and others who were at a disadvantage materially, financially or socially. Jesus had harsh words of warning and judgement for those who were too attached to worldly possessions and ignored those in need (Luke 6:24-25; 16:13-15, 19:31).

17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! - Matthew 10:17-25

(2) Jesus expected His followers to give generously to those in need (Matthew 6:1-4). He demonstrated this my keeping a money bag from which He and His disciples would give to the poor (John 12:5-6; 13:29). On more than one occassion, He told those who wanted to follow Him that they must show compassion for the poor by helping them and giving them money as they were able (Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:33; 14:12-14). Jesus did not regard such giving as optional. In fact, Jesus asked those who followed Him to seriously examined their motive and actions toward the poor (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus Himself tells us that whatever we have done-or have failed to do-for "the least of these", we have done to Him (Matthew 25:40). While the Bilbeis unmistakably clearabout the fact that we cannot be saved by good works,it does indicatethat wewillbe judged, at least in part, based on how we treated others-particularly those in need.

(3) The early church continued to show active compassion for those in need. Very early in Paul's ministry, he and Barnabas, representing the church in Antioch of Syria, brought an offering to Jerusalem for the needy Christians in Judea (Acts 11:28-30). One of Paul's goal on his third missionary journey was to gather money for "the poor among the saints in jerusalem" (Romans 15:26). He instructed the churches both in Galatia and in Corinth to give toward this cause (1Corinthians 16:1-4). When the church in Corinth was not as generous as expected, Paul strogly challenged the people about giving their best to help those in need (2Corinthians 8:9). On the other hand, Paul praised the less wealthy Macedonian churches that had pleaded with him to let them participate in this collection (2Corinthians 8:1-4; 9:2). Paul considered giving to be so important that he states in the book of Romans that one of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to Christians is the ability to give generously for God's work and people's needs (1Timothy 6:17-19).

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. - Romans 12:8.

(4) Our first priority in caring for the poor and disadvantaged is to meet the needs of fellow Christians who need help. Jesus said that when we help those in need we are actually showing love and kindness to Him (Matthew 25:40, 45). The early church was a caring community that shared their possessions so that everyone's needs were met (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-37). when the church became too large for the apostles to give necessary attention to all the needy in their congregation, they chose seven men full of the Holy Spirit to manage that important task (Acts 6:1-6). Paul clearly point out one of the most basic principle of a caring Christian community: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belongs to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10). So God's Word teaches that God wants those who have plenty to share with those who have needs. God is wanting His church to understand and practice a greater equality among themselves (2Corinthians 8:14-15; Ephesians 4:28; Titus 3:14).

The Bible gives us no choice but to be sensitive to the material needs of those around us-expecially those who share our faith in Christ-but to all others too. To the world, such actions is a way of showing Christ's love to those who do not yet know Him. In fact, many people who do not know Christ will not be open to his message until someone who does know Christ takes time to meet their needs.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
Shalom.

[NIV Study Edition Bible]

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