All humans are poor and impoverished in at least one or more ways. Because of sin all people are fallen and in need of God’s salvation and restoration. Christ is the only answer to every person’s sin problem. The Apostle Peter declared, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Act 4:12). The Apostle Paul stated that in Christ, “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14).
It has been the responsibility of all people to believe in God’s Christ and to love him wholly. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
It has been the responsibility of all people to choose wisdom over foolishness. “Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice? To you, O men, I call and my voice is to the sons of men” (Prov. 8:1, 4). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Wise living helps to protect one from the dangers of foolishness and helps one to provide for himself and others. Unfortunately, when people choose foolishness and reap the consequences they often blame God. Scripture counters this blame declaring, “When your dread comes like a storm and your calamity come like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then you will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:27-29).
It has been the responsibility of each person to work and provide for themselves and others as they are able. Work is good and was ordained and modeled by God. Jesus declared, “My Father is working until now, and I myself am working” (John 5:17). When Adam was created God put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and work the ground. After the fall God cursed all creation. Adam’s work then became difficult and his labor was by the sweat of his brow just to provide food for his family.
If able, one ought to work and provide for oneself and one’s family. The Apostle Paul declared that, “…if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat…for we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread” (2 Thess. 3:10-12). A key element to this admonition is the phrase “if anyone is not willing to work.”
There were some who were “willing” to work but who were “not able.” Jesus encountered one such man who was blind and begged for a living. He healed the blind man who then believed in him as the Christ. The narrative does not say whether or not the man then found work but it does not say he continued begging for alms. The Apostle Peter came upon a man who had been lame since birth. The lame man’s friends would carry him to the temple gate everyday where he would sit and beg for a living. God, through Peter, healed the man who jumped up, began walking and praising Jesus. The Scripture does not say the man got a job but it does say that he no longer begged for alms.
The poor, like all people, have a responsibility to God, themselves and others. First, because they are sinners they must believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, be born again and love God with all their heart. Second, they are responsible to choose to live their lives with wisdom not foolishness. Last, able people are to work to provide for themselves and others. Our God is a working God who modeled and ordained the value of work.
