In Old Testament, the scripture Exodus 23:11 says that the people should leave some of their harvest so the poor could eat them. In Deuteronomy 14:22, it tells the people to give away one-tenth of their product every year to poor, the fatherless, and the widow. In Amos 8:5~6, it gives a powerful teaching that if you cheat with a dishonest scale or use crafty ways to buy poor or needy people, then God’s judgement is upon us.
In New Testament, it reinforces the teachings from Old Testament. Matthew 25:31~46 says that in the ends of time, Jesus himself will judge whether if we helped the needy and poor people. If we didn’t, we will go to hell; however, if we helped, then we go to heaven. Some parables like “Good Samarian (Luke 10:25~37)” and “Rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19~31)” are the teachings of what we should to the poor and needy people. Also it teaches not to love money, because it is foundation of all sins 1Timothy 6:10.
The Early Church teachings are shown in Acts 4:32~37. It says that believers should share their own wealth so that no poor or needy people will exist in the Christian community; and the Apostles distributed their property.
Wealth is a gift from God, so we should share it with the poor and needy people.
Exodus 23:11(ESV) - But the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.
Deuteronomy 14:22(ESV) - "You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year.
Amos 8:5~6(ESV) – 5 saying, "When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, 6 That we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?
Matthew 25:31~46(ESV) – ……40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' ………… 45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
1Timothy 6:10(ESV) - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Acts 4:32~37(ESV) - ……34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ……..
