God's Commitment to the Poor in the Early Church

God's Commitment to the Poor
in the Early Church

The following bible study was written by Chris Pyle (with the help of many friends) for the Navigator Campus Ministry. During the past few years, Chris has served as part time staff at Good Works. Chris and his wife Angie currently serve as weekend volunteers in our shelter. Chris and Angie direct The Navigators campus ministry at Ohio University. Chris has agreed to allow us to publish his work in order that our readers might develop an increased perspective of the poor and their place in the kingdom of God. Thank you Chris!

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

"These men without possession or power, these strangers on earth, these sinners, these followers of Jesus, have in their life with him renounced their own dignity, for they are merciful. As if their own needs and their own distress were not enough, they take upon themselves the distress and humiliation and sin of others. They have an irresistible love for the down-trodden, the sick, the wretched, the wronged, the outcast, and all who are tortured with anxiety. They go out and seek all who are enmeshed in the toils of sin and guilt…. In order that they may be merciful they cast away the most priceless treasure of human life, their personal dignity and honour. For the only honour and dignity they know is their Lord’s own mercy, to which alone they owe their very lives.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Cost of Discipleship

In searching the Scriptures, it is clear to see that God has a concern for the poor, the outcast and the needy. As Jesus walked the earth, He consistently taught and demonstrated that those in need should be given our attention. Jesus’ great commission of discipleship and evangelism to His followers is “to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18–20)
In light of His command to pass on his teaching to the next generation of disciples, how did the early disciples serve the poor and pass on that commandment to their disciples as well? In this chapter we will explore the ways in which the first disciples served the poor and passed this discipline on to others.

The Disciples Carry on the Command

1.     Read the following descriptions of the disciples in the early church. In addition to the task of preaching the gospel and making disciples, what else was considered a necessary part of their ministry?
a.     Acts 2:42–45
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b.    Acts 4:32–35
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c.      Acts 6:1–4
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2.     Throughout the book of Acts, a handful of people are noted for their walks with God. Look at the descriptions of the following people and write down the things for which they are commended.
a.     Acts 9:36
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b.    Acts 10:1–4
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3.     In the angels’ encounter with Cornelius, what were the things about his life that were pleasing to God (10:4) and what aspect of his life did God remember (10:30–31)?
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4.     Why do you think that these aspects of Cornelius’ life pleased God?
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Jesus' teaching about serving the needy is passed along to other disciples as well. It’s important to take notice of how they passed on the great command of mercy and service to the church and the disciples to come. Look at the following passages and write down how the following disciples expected the succeeding generations of disciples to follow this command.

John the Apostle

1.    Read 1 John 3:16–20
a.     How do we demonstrate the love of God?
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b.    In what ways does John say that we are to love (v. 18)?
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2.     Read 1 John 4:19–21 and 2 John 5–6
a.     According to John what single trait is the mark of a truly obedient Christian?
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b.    How does this relate to serving the poor and Jesus’ call to mercy (Mark 12:31)?
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c.      In what ways can you demonstrate love to those in need around you?
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James, the Brother of Jesus

1.    Read James 2:1–9
a.     What does James declare the royal law to be?
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b.    When something is “royal,” what does that mean?
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c.     Why does James associate this “royal law” of love with our treatment of the poor?
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d.    In your opinion, does the church today favor the rich over the poor? Why or why not?
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e.     What are some ways that we ourselves may show favoritism toward the rich?
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f.      Why does favoritism toward the rich dishonor God? (See Romans 12:16)
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2.    Read James 2:14–19
a.     According to James, how is our faith associated with serving the needy?
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b.    What is the state of our faith if we have no deeds of service? (read 2:17)
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c.     In light of this passage, is your faith alive or dead?
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3.    Read James 1:27
a.     If someone were to ask you what “pure” religion is, how would you answer?
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b.    According to this passage, of what does “pure” religion consist?
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c.     Why is provision to the underserved important?
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From the Heart of Jesus to the Heart of Paul

Jesus’ concern for the poor and needy can be seen in the faithful testimony of the Apostle Paul’s life. In Acts and his own letters to the church, there is a compassion for the poor and a call to serve people who are outcast and needy.
1.    Look at Titus 1:1–3 and Acts 20:24. What was the Apostle Paul called to do?
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2.    Even though the apostle Paul may not have had a “specific” calling to work among or with the “poor,” his service to them is recorded throughout the New Testament. Look up the following passages and write down the ways in which he served and showed mercy to the poor throughout his ministry.
a.     Acts 24:17
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b.    Romans 15:25–28
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c.     Galatians 2:6–10
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3.    Read Acts 20:35, part of Paul’s farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church.
a.     In his closing remarks about his ministry, what does Paul say is the trademark of his life?
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b.    What does Paul tell the elders that we “must” do?
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Timothy

Timothy was a man dear to Paul’s heart and ministry. He regards Timothy as “my son, whom I love.” (1 Corinthians 4:17) In discipling and training this young leader, Paul passes on his desire and conviction to help the weak and serve the poor. Look at the passages below and observe the ways in which Paul asks Timothy to remember those in need.
1.    Read 1 Timothy 5:3,16
a.     Why do you think that Paul is concerned about widows?
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b.    What does this reveal about Paul’s expectation for Timothy’s ministry?
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c.     How does this exhortation to serve widows relate to what James had considered “pure religion”? Read James 1:27.
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2.    Read 1 Timothy 6:17:19
a.     What are the things that Paul commands the rich to do?
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b.    Why do you think that Paul is concerned about how the rich live and spend their wealth?
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c.     How do these commands apply to you?
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3.    This concern can also be seen in Paul’s counsel to the church of Thessalonica as well. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
a.     What is it that Paul urges his brothers in Christ to do?
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b.    How could serving the poor fulfill this command of Paul?
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Paul's Emphasis on Service

Paul passes along to Timothy the commission of Jesus to make disciples, in 2 Timothy 2:2: “...The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” In the process of instructing churches and raising up church leaders, Paul also entrusts to them the great command of Jesus to show love and mercy to anyone who is in need. (Luke 10:37) Read the following verses and look at how Paul emphasized this command throughout his ministry:
1.    Read Romans 13:8–10.
a.     Why is loving our fellow man (or our neighbor)considered the fulfillment of the law?
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b.    In verse 10, Paul says that “love does no harm to its neighbor.” According to Jesus, anyone who is in need is our neighbor. Therefore, do we harm those around us if we do nothing about their physical needs? Why or why not?
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c.     What does your church do to serve its “neighbors”?
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2.    Read Galatians 5:14.
a.     Once again, Paul confirms the teaching of Jesus that loving our neighbor is “the fulfillment of the law.” What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
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b.    Do you consider the needs of your neighbor (or those in need) as important as your own?
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3.    Read Philippians 2:3–7. What does Paul have to say regarding the way Jesus considered others’ needs in relation to his own needs?
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Chapter Reflection

In reading about the early church in this chapter, what are some of your thoughts about the way it served people?
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In observing the commands of Jesus and the lives and convictions of his disciples, do you think that service to the poor is a valid aspect of a Christian’s life?
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To love the unlovable and those who cannot help themselves deeply glorifies and pleases God. When we love the outcast and those in need, God’s love is poured out to them. It is through God’s sovereign work that He has blessed us with the opportunity to partner with Him in bringing salt and light to the world through service and good deeds. This is why obedience to these commands pleases Him so much.
When we are obedient to love and serve the poor, we are saying to God that we are willing to love others as He has first loved us. We must always remember that God Himself took the initiative to leave a perfect and sinless atmosphere in order to give perfect love to the sick, the needy, the poor and the lost. In the same way, Jesus invites us to leave what is comfortable in order to serve others in our own lives: ”My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)