“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.” Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV)
According to the most recent study entitled Poverty in the United States: 2023, released by the United States Census Bureau, “In 2023, there are 36.8 million people living in poverty in the United States according to the official poverty measure” (Shrider, 2024). The number is mind-boggling! If you compare it to a state's population, the closest is California, which has approximately 39 million people (Nations Online Project, n.d.). From my experiences at L Street Mission, those who are marginalized come from all walks of life; they are veterans, retired professionals, and those who struggle with health issues.
We see evidence of this poverty every day. We witness folks huddled under bridges, seeking assistance outside stores and at intersections, and gathering in the parks. But what we see is only a fraction of those in need.
This is not new. According to one source, the Bible contains over 2,000 verses addressing poverty, justice, and compassion (Sojourners, n.d.). This is a frequent theme in Jesus’ teachings. For example, in Matthew 10:42, Jesus speaks of giving even a cup of cold water to the little ones in His name. Such simple acts of kindness hold great value in God's eyes.
As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard of compassion and generosity. We are invited to feel empathy with the poor. Our works are a response to God’s grace. Indeed, there is no way we can give back to God what we’ve been given. While these acts do not save us, they are visible signs of grace transforming our hearts. They are our response to the boundless mercy we've received from God.
When we give to those in need, we are, in essence, investing in God's kingdom. And like any wise investment, it yields returns—not necessarily in material wealth, but in spiritual blessings.
As we reflect on Proverbs 19:17, let us remember that our acts of compassion are not for our own benefit but for the glory of God. In the Wesleyan tradition, we recognize that the blessings we seek have already been bestowed upon us through God's grace. Our service to the poor is a response to the love and mercy we've received, and it is a way to honor God by extending that same love and compassion to others.
May we be inspired to live out this verse in our daily lives, knowing that in doing so, we are not just lending to the Lord—we are participating in His work of redemption and grace. Our acts of kindness are a testament to the faith that transforms us and a reflection of God's boundless love.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your boundless grace and mercy. Lord, inspire our hearts to respond with compassion and generosity to those in need. May we see Your image in every person we encounter and act with the love and kindness that reflects Your divine compassion. May our acts of mercy bear witness to Your transformative grace in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Emily A. Shrider, U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports, P60-283, Poverty in the United States: 2023, U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC, September 2024.
Nations Online Project. (n.d.). Population of the U.S. states. Nations Online. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/US-states-population.htm
Sojourners. (n.d.). List of some of the more than 2,000 verses on poverty and justice. Sojourners. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://sojo.net/list-some-more-2000verses-scripture-poverty-and-justice
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