Caring for the Poor

On Sunday evening, Fellowship Reformed Church in Mount Pleasant, MI continued it’s Sunday evening service through the book of Proverbs. Ben Ault, Pastoral Intern at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI, delivered the message. He titled his sermon “Regard Their Maker” with reference to Proverbs 14:31. And he explained that caring for the poor is an expression of reverence for our Creator.

In opening, Ault pointed out that most ancient proverbs from other cultural or religious traditions are isolated statements. People can take and re-interpret those proverbs according to their own whims. They may apply these statements in whatever way they prefer. But the book of Proverbs in the Bible is different. In order to understand these Proverbs, we have to see them in light of the rest of the Bible.

How to Respond to Poverty

Ault noted that we all too easily turn a blind eye on the poor. Or if we donate money or give to their needs, our motives may be wrong. We may just be doing it to boost our own ego. Instead, he briefly mentioned the image of God that all people possess, including the poor. And he stated that reverence for our Maker should drive our generosity.

Ault also contrasted Christianity with Islam. And he explained how God has uniquely expressed his care for the poor by sending his divine Son in lowly human flesh. Christ understands our poverty. God doesn’t stand aloof, but he draws near to meet us in our neediness. This is good news, that fuels greater love and worship toward God.

Ault also concluded that God has allowed material poverty to persist in the world for a reason. In seeing people who are physically poor, God gives us a pungent reminder of how poor we are without him. He humbles us, in showing the spiritual poverty we have for as long as we’re dead in sin. And as we see how Jesus has been caring for us, it motivates Christians to be active in caring for the poor in an analogous way.