Christians are called to help the less fortunate as a fundamental expression of their faith and love for God. Jesus set this example for us in His earthly ministry, and the Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and vulnerable. Proverbs 14:31 states, “He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.” Jesus Himself said in Matthew 25:40, “…Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Helping those in need not only reflects God’s love but also cultivates spiritual growth and compassion within the Christian community.
The Need in Our Nation
As of the 2022 census, close to 38 million Americans are living below the poverty line. In 2024 the government defines the poverty line as earning less than $16,320 per year for an individual or for a family of four, $31,812. That threshold is low, and there are still millions more Americans who are technically above the line but still struggle to provide for themselves and their families.
From those numbers alone, we can see that poverty isn’t just in third-world countries. It is in our own backyards. Even households with one or more working adults struggle to provide for their families' basic needs. Poverty is not limited to people who are not working. Many Americans work long hours at multiple jobs and still struggle to pay the bills. It’s clear that no matter where we live—even in the wealthiest nation in the world—we are still surrounded by people in need.
What Does the Bible Say About Caring for the Less Fortunate?
Throughout the Bible, Christians are called to care for those less fortunate. Whether it’s an Old Testament practice (Deuteronomy 15:11, Leviticus 25:35), the words of Jesus Himself (Luke 12:32-34, Matthew 25:31-40), or an encouragement to fellow believers (1 John 3:17-18, Romans 12:10-13), it’s clear we are asked to be generous and compassionate toward those who have less than we do.
Why is it so important to prioritize generosity toward the less fortunate? It would be simple enough to go about our day-to-day lives, concerned only with providing for our own families and preparing for our own futures. Why does God ask us to spend our time and money on those in need?
There are many reasons He calls us to this, but here are 3 of the reasons God wants us to care for the less fortunate:
To Show His Love to Others
Meeting physical needs is one of the most impactful ways we can live out the gospel and show love to others. When we intervene in someone’s life to help with a need or a situation they are facing, it validates the words we say when we share about what Christ has done for them and their eternal need for salvation. Jesus’ love is real, and when we help others in their need, it is a tangible expression of how God cares for them.
Whether you give money, donate household items, or simply buy someone a meal, you’re an extension of God’s hand of love. You’re helping someone feel seen and giving them the comfort and safety of knowing they’re being taken care of.
When you help the less fortunate, you are serving and loving God. In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus said whatever we do to “the least of these” — feeding the hungry, taking care of the sick, clothing the naked — we do unto Him.
To Remind Us of Our Own Need
It’s easy to get caught up in our busy schedules and begin relying on ourselves to sustain our lives. The truth is, we’re completely reliant on God, and the more we embrace that, the fuller our lives will be.
Giving generously allows us to not only avoid the temptation to hoard the blessings God gives us (Matthew 6:19-20), but also reminds us we are not immune to need, physically or eternally. Stepping outside of the comfort of our own lives helps us cultivate gratitude and remember that we, too, are in desperate need. Relying on our own strength will not sustain us, but will leave us ultimately empty.
We need God not only for salvation, but for daily grace, joy, and peace. Remembering our own weakness reminds us where our true strength comes from (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). We cannot fully live as Christ’s followers without the Holy Spirit’s help, guiding us and shaping us.
When we see need in the lives of those less fortunate than us, it should humble us and help us to rely more on the Lord. As we surrender to the Lord, He will soften our hearts to become more aware of our need for Him.
To Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). By putting the needs of others before our own, we force our sinful nature to take a back seat and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us and produce fruit in our lives. Here are some practical ways to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit as you care for the less fortunate:
- Allow God’s love to flow through you.
- Find joy in generosity.
- Show kindness and goodness.
- Be faithful with the resources God has given you.
- Be gentle with those who have made mistakes or fallen on hard times.
- Cultivate self-control by giving money to others you could have spent on yourself.
Helping the less fortunate is a practical way to foster these characteristics in ourselves. The more we serve others and pray for our hearts to be changed, the more the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be displayed in our lives.
What Will You Do?
Our lives are not about us. Our lives are about loving God and loving others.
Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him how He wants you to serve and intervene in the lives of those less fortunate than you. There might be a specific person in your life He brings to your mind or a ministry He leads you to.
If you need ideas, consider serving with the Food Pantry ministry at Abundant Life. You could donate food during Bags by the Bumper or give of your time by volunteering throughout the week.
We should be living proof of a loving God to a watching world. As we choose daily to practice generosity and give to those in need, we remember that our lives are not our own and we bless others in the process. Caring for the less fortunate is a powerful way to be the hands and feet of Jesus.