Don’t Forget the Poor: A Biblical Approach to Addressing Poverty

Christian households also face the responsibility of accumulating assets, so that when the time comes when parents can no longer work, they are still able to financially support themselves. In Paul’s instructions to Timothy, we see that there may be those among us who reach this period of their lives without having made sufficient provision for these times (see 1 Tim. 5:9–16). Today, this is an even greater issue because we enjoy the benefits of medical science that has given us an average longevity rarely before experienced.⁹ During the New Testament times, few people lived to see the age of sixty because life expectancy at birth was only about thirty years.¹⁰ Today, the world average life expectancy is sixty-seven. In the United States, depending on ethnicity, this could be anything from seventy-five years (African Americans) to eighty-six years (Asian Americans).

The Christian household retains the primary responsibility of making sure that they have sufficient assets for this later period in their lives.¹¹ If this is not possible, for whatever reason, the secondary responsibility rests on the second and third generations. Christian children and grandchildren should “learn to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God” (1 Tim. 5:4).

The Christian ideal is that we handle our finances so wisely that not only will we be able to care for our own children, and make ample provision for our old age, but that we would be able to even leave a legacy for our grandchildren. “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Prov. 13:22).

When the Scriptures enjoin us to not forget the poor, one of our tasks is to lead the members of our church and the poor that God has called us to assist into a life of discipline that reflects financial prudence.

 

Discipleship in the Workplace to Counter Poverty

Whole-life discipleship is more than spiritual formation or character transformation or the development of sound relationships. The third step in a biblical approach to overcoming poverty should be a discipleship that manifests in the workplace. Most people spend more of their waking hours on the job than anywhere else. Central to the discipleship message of the church is the task to promote an appropriate theology of work. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Col. 3:23–24). Work is not a curse; it is a function that God instituted even before sin entered the world (Gen. 2:15). The Ten Commandments instruct us, “Six days you shall labor …” (Exod. 20:9).

Ideally, work liberates people from inactivity and laziness and restores dignity and freedom to a laborer. “‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command … earn the bread they eat” (2 Thess. 3:10–12). In God’s plan, work enables us to support our families, to develop and enjoy meaningful use of our abilities, and create wealth and security for ourselves and our communities. “Work with your hands … so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thess. 4:11–12). When we do our work with Holy Spirit inspired passion, it can create extra wealth beyond immediate needs, so that disciples can make provision for their old age, have enough to give to support the poor, and eventually leave a legacy for their grandchildren.

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Category: Living the Faith, Summer 2016