In the book of Acts
"At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." Acts 10:1,2
Here in North America we live with freedoms that are the envy of the world. Indeed the western countries of the world are very wealthy. Yet still we have people living on the street with no house home to call their own, struggling to put food on the table. And it’s not because they want too live like this. Many just can’t afford to rent or buy a house. It is so sad.
In the book of James we read,
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17
In Jewish culture there is a belief called Tzedakah it is something I believe James would have known about. It is something we as Christians need to not just think about, but practice. I got the following definition of Tzedakah from a Jewish website
"Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy...."
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due....
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah is equivalent to an idol worshipper...”
This is something that alines with Christian belief.
So the question to you is do you give to helping the poor where you can, be it to a Church or reputable charity?
Please think about it.
And one postscript:
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, "Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?" He answered, "God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love." The Talmud
