There are certain people with the mentality that if we help the homeless or help those in need, they’ll always ask for a handout. They feel like if we give them food, clothes, money, or shelter, there will be no incentive for them to work and pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

This thought process may seem logical, but it opposes the word of God. Proverbs 14:31 says whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him. Jesus said in Matthew 25:45 “And He will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help Me.’

It’s important to consult with the Holy Spirit on who to help. The Holy Spirit will tell us who truly needs help and those who are running a gimmick.

Regardless of how we feel or what we think of the poor, it’s clear in God’s word that we should help. If Jesus is Lord, His word should outweigh any logical reason why we can’t help those in need.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17