Why We Serve

A few months ago I had a few moments with Shane Claiborne. Shane and I have also “debated” about the best way to help the poor (we were pitted against each other with Shane labeled as a communist and I as a capitalist).  Despite our differences on how to best respond to the needs of the world, we have a lot in common, particularly our belief that the Church needs to get off the sidelines and actively serve.

Shane asked me, “How do you respond when people ask why should we care for the poor?” I gave a mediocre response, but his question stuck with me. If we forget why we serve, we are in danger of  apathy, burnout, or toxic attitudes of paternalism.

Personally, I hope my passion for caring for those in financial poverty is fueled by:

1. A response to lavish grace. We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). The disciple John went on to say, “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 John 3:17)?” It’s not out of guilt we are motivated to care for those in need. When we truly understand the gift of grace we’ve been given in Christ, we just can’t help ourselves from showing love to anyone hurting or in a desperate situation.
2. A Testament to the Gospel.  People can disagree with our faith, but it is much harder to disagree with a life of service to others. Sociologist Rodney Stark wrote about the impact of the early Church when they gave and served sacrificially in the face of famine and disease. He reported Emperor Julian writing about the demonstration of love by the Christians: “The impious Galileans support not only their poor, but ours as well; everyone can see that our people lack aid from us.”
3. More blessed to give than to receive.  Not only did Jesus teach this, but it is scientifically proven. According to a study in 2009 by Harvard Business School, giving produces a literal high. Your brain reacts the same way when we give, as we do when we take cocaine or see a beautiful person or an art piece. It is a gift to give. And meeting families impacted by the service of HOPE is more valuable than any paycheck.
4. It could have been me. I was born into a loving family in Massachusetts. And that simple fact changed everything. Simply through my zip code, I was given opportunities many in the world have never been given. I am in the club of those “to whom much is given.” And it’s a call and a joy to love our global neighbors in the way we’d want to be loved.
5. Following the way of Christ. It’s incredible how often Jesus references or attends to the needs of the poor. Surely, if Jesus was eagerly interrupted to care for those in need, we are also called to address the needs of the financially vulnerable by helping them find bread and the Bread of Life.

In my line of work, I get the opportunity to see people doing radical things to follow our calling to care for individuals in poverty.  And I see that these actions are flowing from a deep faith and an understanding of just how much we are loved and accepted.

What motivates you to care for those in need?