Proximity to the Poor

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” - Matthew 25:40

Jesus could’ve been born in a palace - instead, He chose a manger. He could’ve rolled with the elites - instead, He dined with outcasts. He could’ve lived in luxury - instead, He had no place to lay His head. Why? Because he knew that the best way to reach people was to build relationships with them, to meet them where they are. His life was a masterclass in proximity to the poor and the message is unmistakable: God cares deeply about the poor, and we’re invited to do the same.

But here’s the real question: How do we love the poor well? The trick? It has nothing to do with making ourselves "feel better.” That is the beauty of Jesus’ sufficiency for us – we no longer have to try to be “good enough” because he was already good enough for us! Instead, we can simply live to love God and impact the lives of other people. Practically, it means asking, “Am I choosing the best interest of others and acting on their behalf?" And, “Am I helping people flourish in ways that honor their dignity and unlock their God-given potential?” Sometimes that comes through giving to people and organizations and sometimes that comes through investing in people and businesses. But here's the key... regardless of what we do, it should always mean having close proximity to the people we’re trying to serve – listening first to understand their desires, not just our desires for them.

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” – Luke 14:13-14