Get ready to be accused of being a Scrooge

“How shall I ever understand this world? There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty, and yet, there is nothing it condemns with such severity as the pursuit of wealth.”  Ebenezer Scrooge

  If you’re going to take a biblical approach toward poverty, be ready to be accused of being a “Scrooge.”  A biblical worldview isn’t PC. To many, it appears cold and heartless…Scrooge-ish. During the Christmas Season, there are countless appeals to help the less fortunate. This past week my mailbox was filled with appeals for “Giving Tuesday.”

  As Christians, we’re commanded in Scripture to care for the poor and hurting, particularly the widow and fatherless. Yet, because most of the requests are packaged emotionally rather than rationally (and rarely biblically) without working through many of the variables, the bigger questions often are never asked, much less answered: Is this help truly helping? Is this wise stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to me? Am I assisting or am I enabling?

  Neither the questions or answers are simple. Nor is there “a one size fits all” solution. Each situation usually must be individually considered and evaluated. To develop and apply a biblical worldview requires wisdom and the investment of careful evaluation before there’s a financial investment. As believers, we’re stewards with limited resources. We’re to be wise with what our Heavenly Father has entrusted to us. Some day each of us will give account for how we invested His money.

  To apply a biblical worldview in this area, that’s theologically driven and includes personal responsibility of the recipients, is pariah to many, particularly those who are emotively driven. Put a cute child’s picture with big imploring eyes in front of us and we’re grabbing our wallets. Yet, because these problems are increasingly complex, our approach is going to potentially need to be a lifelong work in progress. Let me suggest though…

  Before you give, do some research on the organization you’re considering donating to. For example, I don’t give to Goodwill. The “Goodwill Mission” appears to me to be to pay local CEOs like they’re royalty. I have a hard time giving to an organization that’s supposed to help the poor where the CEO is paid extravagantly (salaries in a nearly seven figure range). People donate believing they’re giving to help the needy, not pay huge salaries. Also, look for organizations who actually direct the bulk of funds to the cause you believe you’re donating to. Many spend more on fundraising and administration than on people or the cause they’re purportedly seeking to help.

  As I read Scripture and what it says about helping the poor, the emphasis is on assisting what’s known as the “working poor.” Contemporary social handwringers would dub the Apostle Paul a Grinch for his instructions regarding the poor: “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness…For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 10). Under the Mosaic Law provisions were made for the poor but it wasn’t a handout. The edges of the fields were to be left so the poor could glean the remnants of the harvest. We find a beautiful account of that in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Biblically, then our responsibility is to help those who are the working poor. When we help those seeking to help themselves, many of them with our assistance and encouragement will leave that designation, ultimately becoming independent and contributors to others in need. The Bible also teaches that we’re to let natural consequences of indolence motivate people to change.

  The Bible teaches that our first priority, after our biological family, is to help our spiritual family. Galatians 6:11, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” That’s why at Grace we have a Deacon Care Fund. Because there are enough needs within our church and because we don’t want to enable those who know how to manipulate the system, we rarely help those outside of our church. To be candid, we just don’t know them.

  Let me share just one example of why we take this approach. We had a woman stop by the church a few years back looking for cash to buy her baby asthma medicine. We wouldn’t give her money but offered to meet her at the pharmacy to pay for the prescription. We went there but then she never showed. Later, she was arrested for fraud. It’s easier to help those in our church and fellow believers. We know them and their circumstances.

  What though is often misunderstood is what it means to be truly “poor.” Most Americans have no concept of true poverty. Most have never gone without a meal because there was no food. You’ll find that many who consider themselves poor have cable, Internet, Netflix, multiple cell phones and cars, smoke, drink and often use illicit drugs. Poor is not all that poor in America. And to suggest that those are not necessities is considered cold and gauche. Add to that, frequently they’re cohabiting yet expect others to underwrite the costs of their children. So not only have we lost the War on Poverty, the “army” of the impoverished continues to exponentially grow.

  One of the greatest problems is that there’s little incentive to work in our current system. Obviously, the issue is far too complicated to work through in this short space. In fact, bettering yourself is discouraged. Under our current system, if you begin to work, make money, you then lose your government assistance funds. That’s just stupid! Yet, I see well meaning charities essentially doing the same thing. Rather than having a graduated scholarship program to help clients develop financial independence, they continue to give them money if the funds are available.

  Yes, we’re to help those who are truly needy (and not just at Christmas). We are to have generous hearts but must do it in a way that lines up with Scripture. The line between helping and enabling is often a fine one. God probably has brought needy folk into your life that you can be Jesus too.

  We must never forget though that the greatest need of everyone, rich or poor, is to accept the Gospel, to personally accept God’s great gift of salvation. What real good have we done if we help someone out of poverty, yet they exit this life spiritually poor into a Christless eternity?