Humanitarian

<<promoting human welfare>>

This is an active belief in the value of human life, whereby people practice benevolent treatment and provide assistance to others in order to reduce suffering and improve the conditions of humanity. Christians endeavouring to promote the welfare of disadvantaged people have initiated the majority

Evil will triumph if good people do not attempt to combat it

of hospitals, orphanages and aid programmes in the developing world. Christ stepped into our predicament and we can show our gratitude to Him in a small measure by giving to those less fortunate. Rather than providing continual handouts that create dependency, a better option is to assist with a short-term ‘hand-up’ so the recipients can become self-sufficient – which also increases their self-worth.

Here is a selection of Scriptures that address the humanitarian issue. "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done" (Prov 19:17). “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Prov 31:9). God’s people are to help anyone in need, and in fact, we serve God most when we serve others (Prov 14:21; Mt 5:42, 25:40; Lk 6:31, 10:30-37). "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (1 Jn 3:17). Our concern for others must be more than words, it must impartially outworked in reality (Jas 2:14-17).