Feeding the hungry and clothe the naked

Then go and do likewise …

Not money time. that could be us, our children or cousins. How are supposed to love our neighbors?
The church is the world of believers, not a building. Do we need a temple to pray?

Dear brothers and sisters,

Thank you very much for your input. I do feel this is a complicated issue. Maybe it´s my fault to feel this way, as I should know exactly what to do. Sometimes I believe I should know and understand the Scriptures much better. I just want to do what Jesus wants me to do, but at some point I feel "confused"/not certain of what I should do, and this is one of the issues I do have more uncertainties about. I do not feel bad every time I help people, by the contrary. My question is if Jesus wants me to help people who do not want to help themselves and want to live at expense of others´ kindness...!

Plus, my wife believes beggars should get a job and be useful to society, and if they can´t, that Government should do something to help them to be it and not us (kind of the "do not give them the fish, but teach them how to fish" idea). I tend to think things should not be that way, although a part of me thinks that if people don´t want to work, they should pay the consequences for it...! Eventually, this perspective and the one that Jesus commands us to feed the hunger seem to collide, somehow...

Indeed a complex issue. Jesus said he that will not work shall not eat. He that does not take care of his family is worse than an infidel. Those who cannot work and are hungry it is our responsibility to feed them. Jesus never gave money but He did feed thousands who were hungry.

The government gives money to the poor and they remain poor. We need to feed them and have compassion on them. Our trust must be in the Lord and not in the character of those we help. Give what you give as unto the Lord. The poor you have with you always. Some are just never going to improve no matter what is done for them. All this is the consequence of sin.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I guess it depends on how sick they really are. They rarely have only one thing wrong in their head and body and if we decide to try and help a few min what would have the most positive effect?

Where exactly did Jesus say that those do not work do not eat
And the infidel thing?

Jesus never really commanded that. Also Paul said if anyone doesn't work, let him not eat. There's also this:


So merely feeding the poor is nothing of itself. If it's done for other reasons than love, like thinking it earns brownie points with GOD or something, it's nothing.

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Can´t were assume it by this:

35 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,
36 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.
37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?
40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:35-40

YOUR QUOTE WAS CORRECT but the context is about careing for others not refusing care. and 2nd timothy says would not work not cannot work. Do you that addiction and alcoholism are illness of both the mind and body. And it's victims are quite sick and need help?

The physical needs of addicts and alcoholics are the door through which we are to reach them with the gospel. To feed them physically and neglect the need of their souls is the great crime of our century.

Mt 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

You good with that context?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I don't consider that a commandment to feed just anyone.

Everyone has their gift. If that's your thing, go for it.

I've worked in treatment facilities and many get saved in treatment. The first things they learn is. step 1 They are powerless over their disease and lifes had become unmanagable. Step 2; Came to believe that a higher power exists and could restore them to sanity. Step 3 made a decision to turn their wills' and lives over to God as they understand him! Chapter 5 big book A.A. most 12 step groups follow that model including Celebrate Recovery which is 100% christ centered recovery. I compair it to doing mission work and feel are compelled to have mercy.

To be clear. Jesus did not say these things.
These are disputes between menders in a church. Paul says these are to be settled in love and not harshly.

2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

All of the bible is Gods word. Penned by men spoken by God.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Our primary concern is with the brethren...those that are in need. In Canada we have a very socialist government...meaning the state does a lot of caring for the poor. We have free health care. So there is not so much the same need to help the poor here.

In the US I'm sure you have brethren that need medical help and can't afford it. The church should help them out. If there is no healing miracle then financial help would be the next best thing for these.

Brother Latour,

I´m from Portugal. Here Healthcare is tendentiously free, like Education. Although my country is slowing recovering from a great economic crisis, everyone will have healthcare attention, even the poorest of the beggars. Plus, my country gives subsidies (although small) to people who do not work. This is one of the reasons I find myself judging "Should I help people that may be wanting to leave at he expense of others"?...

Personally I've give as my father gives. What they do with it is there own choosing.
I've been asked to buy food for those without. I've picked up tabs for those that have it.
It comes from the father and not me.
They are accountable for them who choose to serve there addictions. How many times I've squandered the blessing the Lord has given me but he still gives.
We are to trust the Lord not judge the living.
When Jesus fed the many do you think all were converted right there? In fact when he said latter that they follow him because he feeds them many turned away. Do you think Jesus regretted feeding them?

Short true story.
I was working on a job in the middle of the city. Hot and muggy one of those melting days.
Lunchtime went to the restaurant to escape the heat across the street. On my way I heard a voice ask me, could you
buy me a burger? A young man sitting with a jacket on, and duffle bag on his shoulder sitting in the middle of the sidewalk looking like he was going to pass out belonged to that voice. First I said sorry but no cash....then I stopped dead in my tracks in the parking lot and said to myself...I never carry cash....just my bank card. I invited him in, told him to order anything he wanted. Burgerplate please he said to the waitress....to go. I asked why to go let's enjoy this air conditioning....you sure he said....yeah I said.
We had lunch together talkedof wheather, work and Christ. His homelife, nice conversation.
When I went to pay the waitress said someone had already paid our bill. She pointed him out getting into his car in the driveway.
She said he commented on what I did as he witnessed it through the window as he was eating lunch. He said it just blessed him to see that.
I looked at the young man and he was just blown away as was I. He replied what a good man.....I looked at him and said we had lunch on God. We both went out with a big smile....shook hands and parted ways

Just who is this "Prudence" of whom you speak?

I tend to offer to buy a "beggar" a sandwich, or burrito or something ready to eat... I have no problem doing that every time I have the opportunity.

I used to be in charge of our church's benevolence fund distribution.... we worked out a pretty good system, partnering with our community outreach place... they had the ability to do shallow background checks on people asking for help, and could help us weed out the "professional" needy folks.

My rule, however, is to err on the side of giving... we cannot always be certain that help/money given will be used in the way we intend, but I'd rather give the money than not, if it's a questionable situation.