Serving the Poor

Home Study

A Spiritual Growth Course

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Serving The Poor

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

In searching the Scriptures, it is clear to see that God has a concern for the poor, the outcast and the needy. As Jesus walked the earth, He consistently taught and demonstrated that those in need should be given our attention. Jesus’ great commission of discipleship and evangelism to His followers is “to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18–20)
In light of His command to pass on his teaching to the next generation of disciples, how did the early disciples serve the poor and pass on that commandment to their disciples as well? In the first part of this study we will explore the ways in which the first disciples served the poor and passed this discipline on to others.

The Disciples Carry on the Command
1. Read the following descriptions of the disciples in the early church. In addition to the task of preaching the gospel and making disciples, what else was considered a necessary part of their ministry?
a. Acts 2:42–45
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b. Acts 4:32–35
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c. Acts 6:1–4
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2. Throughout the book of Acts, a handful of people are noted for their walks with God. Look at the descriptions of the following people and write down the things for which they are commended.
a. Acts 9:36
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b. Acts 10:1–4
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3. In the angels’ encounter with Cornelius, what were the things about his life that were pleasing to God (10:4) and what aspect of his life did God remember (10:30–31)?
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4. Why do you think that these aspects of Cornelius’ life pleased God?
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Jesus' teaching about serving the needy is passed along to other disciples as well. It’s important to take notice of how they passed on the great command of mercy and service to the church and the disciples to come. Look at the following passages and write down how the following disciples expected the succeeding generations of disciples to follow this command.
John the Apostle
1. Read 1 John 3:16–20
a. How do we demonstrate the love of God?
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b. In what ways does John say that we are to love (v. 18)?
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2. Read 1 John 4:19–21 and 2 John 5–6
a. According to John what single trait is the mark of a truly obedient Christian?
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b. How does this relate to serving the poor and Jesus’ call to mercy (Mark 12:31)?
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c. In what ways can you demonstrate love to those in need around you?
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James, the Brother of Jesus
1. Read James 2:1–9
a. What does James declare the royal law to be?
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b. When something is “royal,” what does that mean?
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c. Why does James associate this “royal law” of love with our treatment of the poor?
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d. In your opinion, does the church today favor the rich over the poor? Why or why not?
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e. What are some ways that we ourselves may show favoritism toward the rich?
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f. Why does favoritism toward the rich dishonor God? (See Romans 12:16)
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2. Read James 2:14–19
a. According to James, how is our faith associated with serving the needy?
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b. What is the state of our faith if we have no deeds of service? (read 2:17)
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c. In light of this passage, is your faith alive or dead?
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3. Read James 1:27
a. If someone were to ask you what “pure” religion is, how would you answer?
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b. According to this passage, of what does “pure” religion consist?
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c. Why is provision to the underserved important?
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From the Heart of Jesus to the Heart of Paul
Jesus’ concern for the poor and needy can be seen in the faithful testimony of the Apostle Paul’s life. In Acts and his own letters to the church, there is a compassion for the poor and a call to serve people who are outcast and needy.
1. Look at Titus 1:1–3 and Acts 20:24. What was the Apostle Paul called to do?
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2. Even though the apostle Paul may not have had a “specific” calling to work among or with the “poor,” his service to them is recorded throughout the New Testament. Look up the following passages and write down the ways in which he served and showed mercy to the poor throughout his ministry.
a. Acts 24:17
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b. Romans 15:25–28
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c. Galatians 2:6–10
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3. Read Acts 20:35, part of Paul’s farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church.
a. In his closing remarks about his ministry, what does Paul say is the trademark of his life?
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b. What does Paul tell the elders that we “must” do?
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Timothy
Timothy was a man dear to Paul’s heart and ministry. He regards Timothy as “my son, whom I love.” (1 Corinthians 4:17) In discipling and training this young leader, Paul passes on his desire and conviction to help the weak and serve the poor. Look at the passages below and observe the ways in which Paul asks Timothy to remember those in need.
1. Read 1 Timothy 5:3,16
a. Why do you think that Paul is concerned about widows?
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b. What does this reveal about Paul’s expectation for Timothy’s ministry?
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c. How does this exhortation to serve widows relate to what James had considered “pure religion”? Read James 1:27.
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2. Read 1 Timothy 6:17:19
a. What are the things that Paul commands the rich to do?
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b. Why do you think that Paul is concerned about how the rich live and spend their wealth?
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c. How do these commands apply to you?
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3. This concern can also be seen in Paul’s counsel to the church of Thessalonica as well. Read 1Thessalonians 5:14.
a. What is it that Paul urges his brothers in Christ to do?
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b. How could serving the poor fulfill this command of Paul?
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Paul's Emphasis on Service
Paul passes along to Timothy the commission of Jesus to make disciples, in 2Timothy 2:2: “...The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” In the process of instructing churches and raising up church leaders, Paul also entrusts to them the great command of Jesus to show love and mercy to anyone who is in need. (Luke 10:37) Read the following verses and look at how Paul emphasized this command throughout his ministry:
1. Read Romans 13:8–10.
a. Why is loving our fellow man (or our neighbor)considered the fulfillment of the law?
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b. In verse 10, Paul says that “love does no harm to its neighbor.” According to Jesus, anyone who is in need is our neighbor. Therefore, do we harm those around us if we do nothing about their physical needs? Why or why not?
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c. What does your church do to serve its “neighbors”?
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2. Read Galatians 5:14.
a. Once again, Paul confirms the teaching of Jesus that loving our neighbor is “the fulfillment of the law.” What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
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b. Do you consider the needs of your neighbor (or those in need) as important as your own?
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3. Read Philippians 2:3–7. What does Paul have to say regarding the way Jesus considered others’ needs in relation to his own needs?
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Reflection
In reading about the early church in this study, what are some of your thoughts about the way it served people?
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In observing the commands of Jesus and the lives and convictions of his disciples, do you think that service to the poor is a valid aspect of a Christian’s life?
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To love the unlovable and those who cannot help themselves deeply glorifies and pleases God. When we love the outcast and those in need, God’s love is poured out to them. It is through God’s sovereign work that He has blessed us with the opportunity to partner with Him in bringing salt and light to the world through service and good deeds. This is why obedience to these commands pleases Him so much.
When we are obedient to love and serve the poor, we are saying to God that we are willing to love others as He has first loved us. We must always remember that God Himself took the initiative to leave a perfect and sinless atmosphere in order to give perfect love to the sick, the needy, the poor and the lost. In the same way, Jesus invites us to leave what is comfortable in order to serve others in our own lives: ”My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

While the New Testament is full of references to the Lord’s attitude toward the poor, He has always felt the same way. Let’s examine one of the best references about the poor in the Old Testament. First read Isaiah 58 (New Living Translation) and then answer the questions which follow.

Isaiah 58 (NLT)

1“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel[a]of their sins!
2Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.
3‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’” I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.
4What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.
5You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please theLord?

6“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

8“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of theLordwill protect you from behind.
9Then when you call, theLordwill answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

10Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11TheLordwill guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
12Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.

13“Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as theLord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14Then theLordwill be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, theLord, have spoken!”

(While Isaiah 58 is often used to teach fasting principals (and there are some good fasting lessons in this chapter), the main idea of the chapter is how the Jews treat one another.)

In verse one what can you say about the sense of urgency of the

writer and what is he calling for someone to do.

2. Verse two seems to praise Israel – they seem to be religious. What

does the author seem to be hinting about their behavior?

3.What does it mean to be “religious?” How does being religious

sometimes lead Christians into incorrect thinking?

4.in verse three what questions do the Israelites have for God?

5.What is His answer to these questions?

6.In verse four, how does God condemn their fasting?

7.In verse five how does the Lord continue his condemnation of

their actions

8.Verse six is often controversial. Read it carefully. Then write your answer to the question – In verse six is the Lord speaking of actual fasting or is He talking about how He wants their behavior to change towards people? (There is no right or wrong answer for this study.)

9.From verse seven list below the four types of behavior the Lord

wants from His people:

10.From verses eight and nine list the six benefits of righteous

behavior:

10. List the three corrections in behavior which verse nine calls for.

11. In verses ten through twelve, if the people help the hungry and

the “afflicted soul,” what ten benefits will they receive?

12. Give your best interpretation of what the Lord is saying in

verses thirteen and fourteen:

What importance do you think the Lord puts on helping others?

(Explain your answer, referring, of course, to what you have

learned in this study of Isaiah 58:

Are you involved in any way in helping folks less fortunate than

you? (Don’t forget – there are many ways to help others

beyond the giving of money.) Describe any ways you are

involved.

Having read these quotes from Mother Teresa, let’s take a look at the Bible reference which inspired them.

Matthew 25:31-46

King James Version (KJV)

31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Before beginning this part of our discussion, we should resolve the problem that some students have with this scripture from Matthew 25. Read the verse below- then the explanation which follows.

Ephesians 2:8-9

King James Version (KJV)

8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It is clear from Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are not saved by works – we are saved by grace. In the Matthew 25 passage many people are confused because they hear Jesus speak almost exclusively about the works which the “sheep” and “goats” either did or didn’t do. Then they wrongly conclude that the sheep have perhaps earned salvation by their works – completely forgetting the total clarity of Ephesians 2:8-9 which plainly contradicts this thinking.

Let me offer an explanation to this problem. When Jesus separates the people into groups of sheep and goats, they are sorted out as those who have been saved by grace (through faith) – the sheep, and those who have not been saved by grace through faith – the goats. During the conversation which follows, the works which the sheep have done did not earn them salvation. Only the blood of Jesus (and grace) can do that. The works which are discussed are simply the things which born again Christians (the sheep) should do – after salvation. To Jesus (and in accordance with the scriptures covered so far – and still to come – in this study), the things which Christians should do (after being saved by grace) are the ones He mentions. Their salvation has already been paid for by the blood of Jesus. While the Lord might have saved us in later some generations a bit of confusion by explaining this at the time, I believe He didn’t feel the need to explain. He felt that it should be already be abundantly clear – these are the things whichChristians should do!!