Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6
“In ministering to the economically poor, we must not make them dependent on our giving but rather help them to be self-sufficient. The church is a channel of love, understanding, and encouragement, as well as a source of diverse opportunities to learn and work and experience new avenues of service and cooperation.
There is a blessing in the partnership in the ministry but let us not forget that we have our own resources. Freely we have received, let us freely give what we have. We may be economically limited, but we can take the message to the “lame men” of the world: “We have no money at all, but we give you what we have in the name of Jesus Christ…”
As Christians, poverty is not a handicap to serving the Lord. He uses our experience to minister to the poor and all men as well..”
Edna Lee de Gutierrez in “Good News For the Poor” in Lausanne Content Library post dated 21 May 2018.
Gutierrez offers two good reminders regarding ministering to the economically poor.
Firstly, they have something to offer. It may not be financial, but it can provide rich blessing to others. Don’t think that because of their physical poverty that they have nothing to offer.
Secondly, the best way to assist the economically poor is to help them become self-sufficient. Again, don’t give them a fish and feed them for a day, teach them to fish and feed them for a lifetime.
When the economically rich do this they realize how poor they are in some areas of life.