Why Should We Care for Those in Need?

Scripture — Isaiah 58:6-8 (NRSV)

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your indicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Devotion

In the time of Isaiah, the Israelites were doing all sorts of religious activities such as offering sacrifices in the temple or observing the required fasts. But God was not pleased with their religiosity because they were neglecting justice and mercy. They were exploiting their workers (Isaiah 58:3) and quarreling (58:4). What God wanted from them was not mere religious observance, but rather deep repentance (58:5).

Moreover, God desired Israel to seek justice for those who were oppressed and poor: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” (58:6-7). So, if God’s people were to fast from eating, God would be honored not so much by their self-denial as by their willingness to “share [their] bread with the hungry.”

If the people of God would seek justice and care for the needy, God promised that they would be greatly blessed: “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your indicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard” (58:8). Not only will God be honored when the Israelites practice justice and generosity, but also, they will be blessed.

In today’s world, God continues to be honored by deeds of compassion and justice. As James writes in his New Testament letter, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). To be sure, we don’t do such deeds to earn God’s salvation, but rather as a response to divine grace. When we care for the poor in God’s name, God receives our actions as worship.

This is made very clear in Matthew 25, where Jesus identifies so closely with those who are in need that he receives care for them as if offered to him: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me . . . . Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matt 25:34-36, 40).

In the prophecy of Isaiah, we are motivated to care for those in need because doing so leads to healing and vindication. In the teaching of Jesus, we are motivated to care for the needy because when we do, Jesus receives our care as if it were a gift to him. What greater motivation could we have for caring for those in need?

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46).