As Christians, we should never relate with people based on levels of wealth, influence, education and status. The Bible calls us to serve the poor, homeless, marginalised, and displaced; to provide for the hungry and ensure justice for the oppressed. BETTY AMUKPO seeks the views of some children on how their respective relationship with the poor of the poorest is like. The excerpts:
‘My relationship with the poor is supportive’
One of the best ways to have a good relationship with the poor is by giving a helping hand, moral support, showing concern and respect to them. In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus Christ narrated a parable of Good Samaritan. He talks about helping our fellow men. My relationship with the poor will be:
• Supportive
• Loyal
• Spiritually inclined
• Showing concern
• Kind Proverbs 19:17 says “Whoever that is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
• Anita Chima
‘It’s our duty to help the poor whenever the need arises’
One of the things my parents taught me is that we are privileged to be above some people and it’s our duty to help them whenever the need arises. Also, Proverbs 29 verse 7 says: “A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” It is my right to understand what the poor of the poorest needs and it is my duty to provide for them if I have and my relationship with them has been a cordial one where I give them their full respect.
‘My relationship with the poor of the poorest is that I try my best to let them know that it’s not the end of the world for them’
My relationship with the poor of the poorest is that I try my best to let them know that it’s not the end of the world for them, Psalm 91:4 says “one with God is majority”. They should keep on hoping and have faith in God. I also talk to my parents to always assist the poor in any little way they can, not only during Lenten period.
• Francis Chibunna Umennadi
‘Our relationship with the poor can be likened to that of Mother Theresa’
Our relation with the poor can be likened to that of Mother Theresa, who chose to follow Jesus’ example of love and concern by caring for the needs of people living in poverty in Calcutta, India. In relating well with the poor of the poorest, I’m actually relating well with God, because the face of Jesus can be found and seen in places where suffering abounds. Like Jesus said in the Gospel of St. Matthew 25: 34 -40: “And in response, the King shall say to them, ‘Amen I say to you, whenever you did this for one of these, the least of my brothers, you did it for me.” Let’s relate well with the poor of the poorest, because in doing so, we are relating well with God and we are also building up our mansions in Heaven.
• St. Monica’s Orphanage Children
‘We all are God’s children and God does not discriminate between the rich and the poor’
The Bible says we should “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy,” Proverbs 31:9. “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed,” Psalm 82:3. So, I try as much as I can to be kind and generous to my friends who have fewer things than I have. If we are kind enough to the poor, God will reward us for the kindness we have shown the poor. We and the poor share a brother-and-sister relationship. We all are God’s children and God does not discriminate between the rich and the poor. For all we have, the Lord gave to us, and if we decide to be wicked to people who are less privileged than us, God can decide to withdraw the things He has given to us. So, that means we have to show the poor kindness and help them where we can. We have to strengthen our relationship with the poor through giving. Proverbs 19:17 states, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
• Blossom Akalezi
