Deuteronomy 15:7-8 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
God’s Word has much to say about giving to the poor and helping them out when the brother is in need. Jesus says, “Give to the needy, especially to the poor among you, those of the household of faith.” Generosity is our response to the extravagant giving of the Lord to us.
God’s plan is that there be no poor among the church fellowship of believers, and the Church voluntarily takes care of its own. The Church’s failure to do so completely resulted in human governments taking over the poverty business. Of course, the public dole is not as efficient as charitable institutions. But Christian response remains: “Ye did it to me.” Compassion and generosity is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. The Lord uses us to open our hand wide.