He Cares for the Poor and Needy

Our passages for this week remind us that every age will have its poor; and as Jesus told his disciples, “You always have the poor with you”.

The prophet Amos warned the Israelites of the consequences of their disobedience toward God. In chapter 8, he warns them not to “trample on the needy or bring the poor to an end”.  They were oppressing the poor among them, and as a result would be cut down (and eventually held in captivity) for their mistreatment of their brothers. 

In Luke Chapter 16, Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest manager.  It’s a difficult parable to understand, but the manager was quite like the men Amos was describing. Christ calls us to use our wealth to serve God, to use our money for godly purposes such as helping the poor and those in need. 

In 1 Timothy, St. Paul addresses the roles and responsibilities that God has given us and calls on us to pray for and help all people.  Because Christ is our true treasure, we respond by praying for, loving, reaching out to, and caring for our brothers who are in any kind of need.

Psalm 113:7-8, “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people…... Praise the Lord!” PN