He that gives unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.
The Bible has much to say about giving to the poor. After all, this is pure religion in God’s eyes (Jam. 1:27). In the Old Testament, the Lord gives guidelines to provide for the poor in the form of a poor tithe once every three years and the gleaning principle (Deut. 14:28–29; Lev. 23:22). From these texts and our Lord’s parable of the Good Samaritan, we conclude that charity is direct, local, relational, and voluntary. The socialist coercive forms of welfare are humanist fabrications that kill the spirit of true charity. Until the poor reject the socialist handouts, and others provide directly for the needs of the poor in their families and communities, our entire society will face the curse of God. Those who hide behind the socialist systems and refuse to deal directly with the poor are hypocrites and subject to the curse promised here in this passage.
For those who are generous towards the poor with their own money (not with other peoples’ money), God promises manifold blessings. He does not promise material wealth specifically, but there is far more to life than stacks of gold lying around in one’s basement.
According to a recent Gallup survey done in 153 countries around the world, the most generous nations of all are Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Among European nations, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK were the most generous contributors to charity (all Protestant Christian nations). An interesting correlation developed in the study when researchers found that these were also the happiest nations in the world. The nations rated highest for happiness were the Netherlands at 7.6, followed by Canada at 7.5, New Zealand at 7.4, Australia at 7.3, and the United States at 7.2.
In order to properly provide for the poor in our midst, we must always keep our eyes peeled for needs. When you hear that a brother has lost work or that a sister has lost her husband, you are now apprised as to those needs. Now you are responsible to act on what you know. It is easy to forget about these needs and to hide our eyes from them.
For related commentary, reference Proverbs 11:24.
1. What are the Old Testament requirements for helping the poor?
2. Are we sensitive to the needs of the poor? Are we generous as a family? Should we increase our giving to the poor in our midst?