One of the greatest commands of Christ to believers is to show compassion to the needy and disadvantaged because that represents the heart of God to the world. God is the ultimate provider who provided for mankind’s deepest need which is the need for a Saviour. Whilst the world was lost in sin, Jesus Christ gave His life for the world so that through His death and resurrection, we might also have access to eternal life. (John 3:16)
In the same way that God provided for our deepest need, God also expects us to provide for the needs of the poor and disadvantaged. Indeed to fast and pray without showing compassion and care for the needy is mere religion which is unacceptable in the sight of God.- “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Isa 58:6-11 NKJV)
It sometimes seems that believers and missionaries in general neglect this aspect of ministry. Usually, the focus becomes the preaching of the word and prayer to the neglect of showing care to the vulnerable in the society or the people we are called to serve. Remember that giving to the needy is a form of preaching love to the unsaved. Read what the Apostle James said; If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? (James 2:15-16)
Providing for the needy is an urgent ministry in these times when the world is filled with so much greed and wickedness. Believers must rise and answer this urgent call to minister to the needy and disadvantaged persons by engaging with their communities to identify these needs. There are many ways of providing for the needy and disadvantaged in society. These include
- Defending the right of the poor to justice- Psalm 82:3, Prov 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17,
- Providing for their physical needs such as the right to shelter, food, clothes and medicine-Mark 8:2
- Providing them with compassion, love and care- Matt 9:36
- Providing education to the community to empower them in knowledge and in skills.
Providing for the needy and disadvantaged attracts great rewards from God. God assures us that those who give will always be blessed and God will be a light unto them. – Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ (Isa 58:8-9 NKJV). Interestingly, we find this great assurance embedded in God’s command to us to provide for the needy in Isa 58:6-11. This shows how much God values our ministry to the needy and less fortunate in society.
Beloved in the Lord, we must fulfil our ministry to the needy with all humility and with a heart which seeks to glorify God. God will certainly reward us for our labour of love-And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ( Col 3:23-24 NKJV). Therefore we must not seek a reward or praise from man or else we will miss the true blessings of our heavenly father.
May the Lord provide us with wisdom to identify the true needs of the people so that our ministry to the needy will make a resounding impact.
