WILL GREED AND INJUSTICE KEEP US FROM HELPING THE POOR?

Author: Patrick Blair

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” -John 12:1-8 

Jesus’ team of 12 disciples kept a community purse from which donations were made to the poor.  It was Judas’s responsibility to keep the purse and, on occasion, give money to the poor (John 13:29).  Even though Jesus’ cured diseases and raised the dead, he also made it a priority to give to the poor. 

This passage gives us a rare glimpse into Judas Iscariot’s heart and why he might have betrayed Christ.  Even though this is a situation where the poor did not get a donation, we can gain two insights from this passage into why we might not give to the poor.  First, like Judas, we can simply be too consumed with greed that we don’t care about the poor.  Though he made donations to the poor on behalf of the group, his heart was not there.  We need to keep a soft heart towards others, especially the poor.

Second, giving to the poor can be discouraging, because it appears to be an unsolvable problem.  Even with all the money spent on social programs today, poverty persists.  No matter how much we give, does it make a difference?  In my book Faith & Finances, I discuss how God isn’t concerned with us solving anything, but rather having his heart of compassion toward poor.

Whatever the situation is in your country or region, the issue of providing for the needy is not a political one – at least as far as God is concerned.  Even in a well-designed society, people's hearts are easily corrupted, which in turn corrupts governments and charities.  Injustice takes over and poverty persists.  Though we may never solve poverty, we can still make a difference and please God in the process. 

There are many other issues surrounding charitable giving addressed in my book Faith and Finances. Please see www.faith-finances.com for more blog articles.