Biblical Foundation: Poverty

The Lord God’s will to save humanity. God is Love and the supreme ethic of Love is freedom. God gives us freedom to enjoy our lives without hurting us and the others around us. God never created world religions, but man-made religions tend to affect this freedom and hurt us and others. Christianity is not a religion but a wonderful relationship with our Heavenly Father and people around us. Loving each other, forgiving others, looking after the needy, and proclaiming the good news is the cornerstone of Christianity. Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of Christianity.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Lord explained what is a real fasting that pleases Him; “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).

Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36); …. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40).

“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.” (Proverbs 14:31).

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9).