Caring for Those in Need 关怀穷人
Dexu Xia
I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11
Elvis Summers answered the door to find Smokey, a frail woman who stopped by regularly to ask for empty cans to return for cash. This money was her primary source of income. Elvis got an idea. “Could you show me where you sleep?” he asked. Smokey led him to a narrow patch of dirt about two feet wide next to a house. Moved by compassion, Summers built her a “tiny house”—a simple shelter that provided space for her to sleep safely. Summers ran with the idea. He started a GoFundMe page and teamed with local churches to provide land to build more shelters for others who were homeless.
Throughout the Bible, God’s people are reminded to care for those in need. When God spoke through Moses to prepare the Israelites to enter the promised land, He encouraged them to “be openhanded and freely lend [to the poor] whatever they need” (Deuteronomy 15:8). This passage also noted that “there will always be poor people in the land” (v. 11). We don’t have to go far to see this is true. As God compassionately called the Israelites “to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites” (v. 11), we too can find ways to help those in need.
Everyone needs food, shelter, and water. Even if we don’t have much, may God guide us to use what we do have to help others. Whether it’s sharing a sandwich or a warm winter coat, small things can make a big difference!
Who do you know or have seen that may be in need of help today? What can you do to help?
Jesus, help me to find ways I can help those around me. Please give me a generous heart.
我吩咐你说：“总要向你地上困苦穷乏的弟兄松开手。”—申命记15章11节
艾维斯 · 桑墨斯（Elvis Summers）一打开门就看见莫婆婆。她是一个瘦弱的游民，经常来索讨空罐拿去变卖，这点微薄的现金是她主要的收入来源。当下，桑墨斯心中有一个主意，于是问她说：“妳可以告诉我妳睡在哪里吗？”莫婆婆带他走到一幢房子旁边不到一公尺宽的肮脏窄巷。桑墨斯出于怜悯为她打造一间“小屋”，让她有个简单的庇护所，能安全地睡觉休息。过后，桑墨斯还想帮助更多游民，他建立了一个“请赞助我”（GoFundMe）的网页，并与当地教会合作，提供土地为其他无家可归的人建造更多庇护所。
整本圣经都提醒上帝的百姓要关怀穷人。当上帝借由摩西对以色列人说话，预备进入应许之地时，也鼓励他们“总要向[穷人]松开手，照他所缺乏的借给他”（申命记15章8节）。这段经文还指出“原来那地上的穷人永不断绝”（11节），我们只需环顾四周，也能看出确实如此。正如上帝满怀怜悯地呼吁以色列人，要“向你地上困苦穷乏的弟兄松开手”（11节），我们也可以想方设法帮助穷苦的人。
人人都需要水、食物和住处。即使我们所有的并不多，但仍愿上帝引导我们能尽己所有去帮助他人。不论是分享三明治或温暖的外套，再微小的举动都能带来巨大的改变！
你认识或看到哪些人今天可能需要帮助？
你能做些什么来帮助他们呢？
亲爱的耶稣，求祢让我找到方法，可以帮助我周遭的人，求祢赐给我一颗慷慨的心。