Deuteronomy 15:7-87“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, 8but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.

Psalm 37:26
26He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.


Proverbs 19:17
17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 21:26b
26b the righteous gives and does not hold back.

Romans 12:9-21
9Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


Giving money is seldom advisable. Their need is not money, it's Christ first and sustenance second. However, if they are hungry for food proclaiming Christ can fall on deaf ears; and understandably so. We provide for physical needs as they are evident and use that as an opportunity to minister to their soul as well. As a church calls for help are somewhat common. I received a call last week from a woman who came here with a friend who ended up in trouble. She was stranded at a hotel (that was her story) and was calling around for assistance. I called the hotel (we have a relationship with the owner) and asked if this lady was legitimate (he generally knows the deadbeats in the area). He said it was, so I went down and paid for two nights. Before letting her know I had paid for them I sat with her and challenged her on her spiritual condition. Christ was proclaimed and sin exposed. May God bring fruit and see us united with this woman in Christ.

You'll often find that beggars live quite well. Sometimes they will be asking for food, but if you give to them they are ungrateful because they want money. The money may be for drugs or simply a means of making a living. This is very common in border towns of Mexico. And anyone who's spent much time in Europe is familiar with the gypsies there who see work as a disgrace and rely on begging and thieving. The only thing I give them is a Gospel tract. Christ is what they truly need.

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For the Glory of our King,
Joe Johnson
Slave of Christ, husband, father, Preacherboy at Cornerstone Community Church, Escanaba, MI. and TMS graduate. Personal website - SoundLife.org

I do not know, and I do not say, that a person cannot believe in Revelation and in evolution, too, for a man may believe that which is infinitely wise and also that which is only asinine. ~ CHS