In Scripture, those in need are often lifted up as examples of faith and recipients of God's care. Jesus teaches His followers to give to those who ask, as seen in Matthew 5:42, and He Himself shows compassion to a beggar in Mark 10:46-52. The early church continues this practice, as illustrated in Acts 3:1-6, where Peter and John help a beggar at the temple gate. The apostle John emphasizes the importance of assisting those in need, writing in 1 John 3:17 that if we have material possessions and see a brother or sister in need, yet close our hearts, how can God's love reside in us, a principle also reflected in Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40.
Relevance Score
25%
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Next, they came to Jericho. And as Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho with a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man. “Take courage!” they said. “Get up! He is calling for you.” Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “Rabboni,” said the blind man, “let me see again.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter. So the man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk! ”
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.