Is There a Crisis of the Conscience of the Church in Relation to the Poor?

Now, I know I semi-quoted Ronald Sider, who is a Christian Leftist. I don't agree with his theology, but he has made one good point in a book he wrote: "The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience." Before going on, even Christian cults, which to me include the Roman Catholic Church, can be right on at least one doctrine or insight. Even though I hate the Christian Left's perspective.

That said, are we making a terrible mistake in most churches by not going almost all out in touting the need for giving to the hard-working poor here at home and the totally impoverished overseas? I do not include those that can work but choose not to, because the bible tells us not to even feed such people (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

This issue is very near and dear to me, and I have wanted to find a way to volunteer in a way that encourages people to give more. The reason I quoted Ronald Sider is because he argues that if American Christians were to contribute a true tithe to the poor and their churches, then we would almost wipe out absolute poverty, poverty so bad it can lead to death. All while paying for running our churches and bank rolling missions with billions of dollars. (What Is Absolute Poverty? - Definition, Causes & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com)

Of course, we cannot eliminate poverty for Jesus himself said we will always have the poor among us (John 12:8, Mark 14:7, Matthew 26:11). However as the bible makes clear we can do the work of God in helping the impoverished (2 Corinthians 8:13-15 among many others). We can even do so in a way that future generations will marvel at with just 10% of our income going to missions, the poor and needy, and running our churches.

The so called "scandal" or "crisis" for evangelicals and baptists as well is that the vast majority of churchgoers don't tithe and in fact give well below the tithe. (American Donor Trends - Barna Group)

 

To me, that sounds as if it is a condemnation of the vast majority of those in the assembly who give like the Pharisees did, out of the excess they had. I do understand that there is no New Testament tithe, but as I have been taught, there is the issue that a tithe is the least we can do. When we live in an Age where the Law has grown to address the issues of the heart instead of just the body.

I mean where are most people's treasure? Is it in their home? Their cars? Their entertainment? Why is it not in heaven? Now, I must be careful as I do like my belongings a little too much at times, and must not be a hypocrite. But I have worked hard to make myself cheery in giving.

What I am trying to address I should say is the problem of cold love or lukewarm love when it comes to giving. I am actually trying to call to repentance many in the Assembly, I now see. I now see I should not use a trick to entice people to do the right thing with a wrong heart, but must address the heart of the matter:

The heart of the matter seems to be that many in the assembly store up treasure on earth and die to leave it behind, whereas the attitude should be that they die to finally inherit the treasures they had loved most all along. Many of our Brethren die everyday absolute paupers like Lazarus was. If we care at all for the "least of these" and have any notion of the fear of the Lord that should come from what happened to the rich man, then we must grow to be cheerful givers investing in a world to come. We must not at all be like the world around us who only has this world to enjoy before an eternity in hell.

 

This statement jars me a little. I must ask where the evidence of this is in the bible?

 

Wow, I mis-remembered that verse, thank you very much.

I would also point out that this verse and its wider segment speak to the need to work on our hearts in or order to eventually be a cheerful giver and thus richly supplied with God's abundance. Because God gives abundantly to the generous according to this biblical segment. It lays out a standard to aspire to while also telling us to not give out of impure motive. It actually reinforces the conversation so far in this thread.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15:

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”9:9 Psalm 112:9

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!