Topical Encyclopedia
Helping the helpless is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's compassion and justice. Scripture consistently calls believers to care for those who cannot care for themselves, including the poor, widows, orphans, and strangers. This entry explores the biblical foundation for helping the helpless, highlighting key passages and principles.
Old Testament FoundationsThe Old Testament lays a strong foundation for helping the helpless, emphasizing God's concern for justice and mercy. In
Deuteronomy 15:11, God commands the Israelites, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land." This directive underscores the perpetual need for generosity and support for the less fortunate.
The Law of Moses includes specific provisions for the care of vulnerable groups. For instance,
Exodus 22:22-23 warns, "You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry." This passage highlights God's protective nature over those who are defenseless.
The prophets also echo this call to justice.
Isaiah 1:17 urges, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." The prophetic literature often critiques Israel for neglecting these responsibilities, linking social justice with true worship.
New Testament TeachingsThe New Testament continues this emphasis, with Jesus Christ exemplifying and teaching compassion for the helpless. In
Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus identifies Himself with the needy, saying, "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 took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you looked after Me; I was in prison and you visited Me." This passage illustrates that serving the helpless is akin to serving Christ Himself.
The early church also prioritized helping the helpless.
Acts 6:1-4 describes the appointment of deacons to ensure that widows received their daily distribution of food, demonstrating the church's commitment to practical care.
James 1:27 further reinforces this, stating, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Principles for Helping the HelplessSeveral principles emerge from these biblical teachings:
1.
Compassion and Mercy: Believers are called to emulate God's compassion, showing mercy to those in need.
Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender."
2.
Justice and Advocacy: Helping the helpless involves advocating for justice and correcting oppression.
Micah 6:8 summarizes this call: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
3.
Generosity and Sacrifice: The Bible encourages generous giving, often requiring personal sacrifice. In
2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver."
4.
Community and Responsibility: The church community bears a collective responsibility to care for its members and the broader society.
Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Helping the helpless is a tangible expression of faith, reflecting the heart of God and the teachings of Scripture. Through acts of kindness, justice, and generosity, believers are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world in need.
Topical Bible Verses
Romans 5:6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Topicalbible.orgMatthew 25:34-40
Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
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Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
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Philippians 3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.
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Romans 5:8
But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
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Ephesians 5:26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
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1 John 2:1-29
My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
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1 Peter 1:13
Why gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
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Colossians 1:1-29
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
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Library
The Helplessness of the Gospel
... fare? Have you money and houses and cattle and lands, and yet are nothelping
thishelpless gospel on its mission of mercy? Must...
Mutual Help.
... Mark Antony, the conqueror, sitshelpless at the feet of Cleopatra... special temptations
and dangers which surround you, and the best means ofhelping each other...
The Hands of the Father.
... to work; the service of God, the only "divine service," is thehelping of our... with
himself: "Am I going to sleep"to lose consciousness"to behelpless for a...
The True Gentleman
... a clergyman, has not so much time as a woman for actuallyhelping his neighbours...
sick bed, work with her hands for the suffering and thehelpless, even though...
Camp-Meetings in Various States
... If I should live to be old andhelpless, he will not let any serious thing come
on me... Let us be faithful, therefore, inhelping souls, whether it be one or many...
Believe Just Now
... The man was thoroughlyhelpless, yet he is, on the spot, commanded to do the... inability
into ability, out of unbelief into faith; man's plan forhelping God to...
Concerning the Author
... with no other prospect for the future than that of remaining ahelpless invalid
for... method of developing his heart and making him more useful inhelping others...
Groping in the Dark.
... lift you up the rest.' But the man in the pit was entirelyhelpless and unable... It
can be said thoughtfully that, instead of everhelping up to God and the light...
Mahanaim: the Two Camps
... One camp was the little one of his down here, with thehelpless women and... seen an
angel standing beside him, and driving his loom for him, orhelping him at...
November 7. "I Will Strengthen Thee; Yea, I Will Help Thee; Yea, I...
... God has three ways ofhelping us: First, He says, "I will strengthen thee"; that...
and that in Him the weakest are the strongest, and the mosthelpless the most...
Resources
Should a Christian go on welfare? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christians respond to global poverty and hunger? | GotQuestions.orgWho is Joel Osteen, and are his teachings biblical? | GotQuestions.orgHelping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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