help the poor

Someone asked me why we help the poor.  They wanted to know how this was "Christian" activity and not just hollow good works.

I guess that they are from the school that Christians are Christians because they believe.  Maybe they believe that believing is enough.  I would point you to the book of James and the life of Jesus himself.

James chapter 2 says,
"What good is it my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such a faith save them? .....what good is it if you say to someone, go in peace, be well, be warm and well fed, but does nothing to help them?  What good is that? ...... faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Yes, he taught, but Jesus was also very involved in helping the poor.  He healed the blind.  He healed the lame.  He sat with the outcast.  He spent time with lepers.  He fed 5,000 hungry people.  In fact, many people followed him simply because of all the good that he done.

Jesus helped the poor.  I want to help the poor.  I don't understand a Christianity with out it.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see and be sure to do the good.