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A Christian’s Responsibility to the Poor
Destini Finley
Liberty University
CSTU 101
Professor Daniel Vinersar
September 15, 2025
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The Bible teaches that Christians are to help the poor. (Proverbs 19:17 (KJV) states, “He
that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay
him again.” Serving the poor is not a matter of preference or even generosity but is an act of
obedience to God. A Christian’s Responsibility to the Poor Rawls (2017), expresses that God
blesses those who provide for the poor and condemns those who oppress them. Providing for the
poor is one way Christians demonstrate the love of Christ.
In the Roman Empire, the poor were largely ignored. Rome reveled in its power, wealth,
and technological advances, but the poor were seen as a lower class and a drain on society. “The
poverty-stricken were often criticized and excluded from political determinations and actions; in
many instances, the poor were considered to have low standards of morality and thus brought
degradation of security and piety,”(Rawls, 2017,p.2).
There were some “bread and circuses” in the form of handouts and free entertainment, but
genuine concern for the poor was not present.“Early civilizations in Western Culture appeared to
view poverty as something affecting the lower class, something to be tolerated, but not
something to fix or be concerned about solving” (Rawls,2017 p.3).
Today, the State has numerous programs to help the poor, like welfare and food stamps,
but scripture makes clear Christian are responsible to meet needs. Scripture says, “Pure religion
and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”(James 1:27 (KJV).
Christians are to do what the government will not or cannot do and must not abdicate the
responsibility to the government. The primary job of a Christian is to glorify the Lord by serving
Him. Jesus declared in Matthew 25: 40 (KJV), “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least
of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” To serve the poor, is to serve Christ himself.
(Word Count: 350)
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References
James 1:27 (KJV). (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James
%201%3A%2027&version=KJV
Matthew 25:40 (KJV). (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=Matthew%2025%3A40&version=KJV
Proverbs 19:17 (KJV). (n.d.). Bible Gateway.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2019%3A17&version=KJV
Rawls, D. (2017). A Christian’s responsibility to the poor.
