Gospel for Asia

Scripture has much to say about poverty and caring for those in need. The Old Testament law, for example, included provisions for fair treatment of the poor. In the New Testament, Jesus indicated that when one feeds or clothes the poor, it’s as if it was done for Him (see Matthew 25:34–40). To learn more about why believers should help the poor, the Bible verses below offer some insight . “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the LORD your God.” - Leviticus 19:9–11 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother… You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when ...

While Jesus was on earth, He dwelt among common people. He was born to a common family, called lowly fishermen to be His disciples and often ministered to the outcasts of society. Though Jesus came to redeem all mankind, He specified that He came to preach the good news to the poor (see Luke 4:18). He also responded to people’s practical needs, feeding hungry multitudes and healing the sick. As we follow Jesus, helping the poor and those in need should come as a natural outflow of our love for our Savior and our fellow man. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells of future judgement and reward. To those who inherit the kingdom of God, He says, “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me’”.Matthew 25:35-36 These righteous individuals, whom Jesus called “blessed of My Father” in verse 34, are perplexed and inquire when they did these t...

There are many needs in the world, both nearby and abroad. Awareness of these needs may very well stir compassion in your heart, accompanied by a desire to respond in some way. If you desire to help meet these needs, you may be wondering how you can donate to the poor. While there are opportunities to give directly to the poor, such as handing money to someone on a street corner, this method comes with some inherent risks—and trust in the Lord. How do you know the person is genuinely in need? In what way will your money be used? You may personally know someone in need. If so, you can look for ways to help meet that person’s needs, perhaps through the provision of groceries or other financial assistance. You can also give to the poor through a trustworthy non-profit organization that has proven its effectiveness. GFA World, for example, has been serving “the least of these” since 1979. Formerly known as Gospel for Asia, GFA World began its work in Asia and recently expanded to Africa. L...

Worldwide, 736 million people live below the poverty line, earning $1.90 a day or less. 1 These men, women and children often lack basic necessities such as clean water, sanitation facilities and health care. Frequently entrenched in generational poverty, these families often struggle for survival and have little hope of rising out of their poverty. Fortunately, organizations such as GFA World are helping the poor, meeting practical needs and empowering impoverished families in places such as Asia and Africa to overcome the cycle of poverty. GFA World has been serving the “least of these” since 1979. Through national missionaries, GFA World ministers in places where no one else is serving. They seek out the forsaken and downtrodden, sharing Christ’s love and serving as His hands and feet to people in need. Their model is Jesus helping the poor . In many areas where GFA missionaries serve, widows are the outcasts of society with limited options economically. The UN estimates that of th...