"For the poor you always have with you; but you do not always have Me."

-John 12:8

Jesus came not to eliminate poverty but “to seek and to save that which was lost.” It is clear that poverty will always exist. Neither the efforts of government or religion will terminate it, nor does its existence reflect a failure on their part. I just read this week that 27 million people in West Africa alone are suffering from hunger. In Scripture, we know that war and inflation lead to famine in the end times. As believers, we should have the compassion of the Lord toward the needy. The care of the poor is the privilege and responsibility of the church in every age. At the same time, the temporal needs are not to usurp the spiritual and eternal need of those without Christ. All too often in the church today, the social gospel is allowed to supersede the gospel of Christ. While being sensitive to the temporal needs of those the Lord brings into our lives, we truly honor our Lord Jesus Christ when our priority centers on presenting the free gift of salvation through His gospel. So, share the gospel. Be encouraged!

Scripture References: John 12:8; Luke 19:10; Revelation 6:1-8