Poor and needy

We live in a world that is full of people who are needy and poor, starving and homeless. Some of the reasons for this level of poverty are illnesses, oppression, handicap, famine, storms, wars and violence, and death. This is a complex problem since it is one thing to feed the hungry for a day or two, and a very different story to actually solve the problem of poverty. Below are some ways of supporting the poor and needy.

Societal needs includes the availability of essential elements for human survival. This could be in form of energy, food, water, health, employment, security, and transport. On the other hand, some of the major social institutions and sources include family, religion, labor market, law enforcement and the judiciary, government, economic system, and politics (Blalock, 2010). Globally, owing to the increase in population and social needs, there are not enough resources to cater for everyone’s needs (Delbert & Neil, 2008). This, therefore, explains why everyone with the capacity to help should help the poor.

The bible further supports assisting the needy and the poor. 1 John 3:17 (Kings James Version) says that rich people who see a brother or sister in need, yet close their hearts against them, cannot claim that they love God. According to Gifty, (2009), the more you give the more you have, hence the need to keep giving. Helping the needy is also mentioned in Romans 12:13 which states that we should share our belongings with our fellow needy Christians and open our homes to strangers. We should also not oppress the poor as whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God (Proverbs 14:31). This shows that we should always help the poor in every way we can.

The bible continues to support helping of the poor and needy in various ways. According to Proverbs 28:27, the rich and wealthy should also help the poor since those who give the poor will lack nothing, while those who close their eyes to them are cursed. According to Murat (2011), one becomes rich by helping both the poor and the rich, and helping makes one rich. People should also learn to help orphans, widowers, and widows. As stated in Isaiah 1:1, we should learn to do right by ensuring justice is served and helping those who are oppressed, as well as giving orphans their rights and defending widows and widowers.

There are various ministries that specialize in this field for instance the Helping Hands Ministries, Eternal Perspective Ministries, and Concern Worldwide. The Helping Hands Ministries are a non-profit ministry that financially assists the needy through tax- exempt donations (Gartland, 2011). Their core values are built around a Christ-like vision to support and assist those who need it most. Their criteria is to support individuals with medical conditions, widows and widowers, and the homeless.

Eternal Perspective Ministries mainly help the poor and the homeless by bringing hope and comfort to their families. According to Randy (2011), the criteria used in the organization is to teach the principles of God`s word by emphasizing an eternal viewpoint and reaching the needy in Christ`s name. They also call attention to the needs of the unreached, unfed, unclothed, unsheltered and poor, unsupported, unborn, and unreconciled by highlighting them.

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization that works to transform the lives of the world`s poorest people to transform their lives in the most vulnerable countries (Blackley, 2010). The criteria used in the organization, is to primarily transfer cash directly to poor individuals and provide a rigorous impact study demonstrating program effects.

In conclusion, helping the poor and needy is very important for human survival as there are those who cannot afford basic social needs. It is also highly encouraged by both the New and the Old Testament. For this reason, various Christian-based organizations have come up to play this role. However, while such organizations have been very helpful, they are unable to reach all the poor people and it is everyone’s role to help the needy. By doing this, we will be promoting Christ’s Ministry of helping the poor

References

Blackely, M. (2010). Concern worldwide. Transform Lives. Edinburgh, SCT: Publishing Scotland. 33-45.

Blalock, J. (2010). Social sciences. Measurements in the Social Sciences. Chicago, IL: Aldine Publishing. 33-45.

Delbert, C. & Neil, J. (2008). Social needs. Handbook of Research Design and Social Measurement. California CA: Sage. 1-20. 

Gartland, J. (2011). Helping hands ministries. Helping the Poor and Needy. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers. 39-42. 

Gifty, F. (2009). Helping the needy. Social Gain. Chicago, CHI: Aldine Publishing. 1-2.

Murat, H. (2011). The poor and needy in society. Rich Helping the Poor. London, LDN: Pluto Press. 4-8.               

Randy, H. (2011). Eternal perspective ministries. Serving the Poor in Community. New York, NY: MacMillan. 56-67.