Poor ones or servants of Jehovah never have reason to be anxious because Jehovah sustained poor ones in ancient Israel and he continues to uphold the poor today (Galatians 2:10). However, in what ways does God help the poor among his servants today? Not to say that Jehovah ignores the poor of the world, but this entry will discuss God's relationship with his servants.
Firstly, Jehovah has taught his poor servants to have a balanced view of money. If we turn to Luke 12:15, notice how Jesus said we should view money.
After reading: did you notice the warning that Jesus gave? He said, "guard against every sort of greed"
Money is a protection; while it makes a good servant, it is a poor master (Ecclesiastes 7:12). We preserve a balanced view of money by avoiding greediness and materialism (an inordinate desire for the things money can buy). As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:8, "So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things."
Job 34:19 mentions a second way that Jehovah helps his materially poor servants (Read).
Jehovah has taught the poor to have respect for themselves, even if they are poor. He is not partial: Jehovah does not favor the rich over the poor. Is this not a comforting thought for servants of Jehovah, who have limited means? The poor and the rich are both creations of Jehovah. They are the work of his hands.
Secondly, Jehovah teaches the poor to work hard and avoid harmful habits. Proverbs 14:23 stresses the importance of hard work. Many people today feel that hard work is not for them: they refuse to do anything they consider to be menial or beneath them. Furthermore, it is easy to develop harmful habits like overdrinking or drug abuse. These practices can waste valuable resources and harm our health. Yet what does God's Word teach about such practices?
See Proverbs 20:1 about drunkenness and overdrinking and 2 Corinthians 7:1 can be applied to smoking and the use of illegal drugs: cleanse yourself of every defilement of flesh and spirit.
Another way that Jehovah helps the poor is by bringing them into a loving brotherhood. Read and apply John 13:35.
1 John 3:17-18 teaches Christians to help brothers and sisters in need: we can offer practical assistance like food and help with clothing. We should love in deed and truth, not just in word. The love we show for the poor is an expression of Jehovah's love and concern for the afflicted (Proverbs 19:17).
A final benefit to the poor is that Jehovah gives them hope. See Isaiah 65:21-23.
Conclusion
No matter how desperate our situation might become, we do not need to be anxious. (Isaiah 30:15; Philippians 4:6-7) Jehovah will care for our material needs as long as we continue to seek his Kingdom first.—Matthew 6:31-33
5 comments:
Is it an official or a policy that decides whether JWs extend their generosity to, well, let's say "the down and out"?
WoundedEgo, we help the poor among us in what we call, a brother to brother/sister to sister way. There are steps normally recommended when someone is economically distressed, but we try to follow the Bible directive in 1 John 3:16-18. See also James 1:27; Galatians 2:10. The point is that we don't need a rule or policy to be in place when it comes to helping people. One can use his or her Bible-trained conscience to know the proper response.
Now when it comes to helping non-Witnesses, it's not wrong, but one has to be careful about enabling bad habits or giving to those who are just too lazy to work. If you recall, Paul gave similar advice about some among the Thessalonians.
The principles of koinonia are pretty strong in most congregations (that I've been part of), the only time anything like a policy comes in place is when a congregation decides it's necessary to organize aid formally (like for example when a widow requires regular aid beyond what can be achieved through the normal informal sharing and mutual aid that is typical of Christian koinonia), or when an area decides it's necessary to organize aid (for example during a disaster, a refugee crisis, a war, or some other situation that brings about significant need). That being said, I've experienced significant mutual aid as a JW simply on the basis of the moral grounding of our faith without any need for formal organization.
That being said the JWs don't run charity organizations or anything like that. the Koinonia is for the congregation, but of course JW's are encouraged to be charitable and extend aid and care to one's neighbors.
Okay, thanks. Just curious.
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