Skip to the main content.
Donate Need help?
Donate Need help?

1 min read

God Loves the Poor

Phil Altmeyer talks about how the Bible makes clear God's heart for the poor.

What better phrase to describe one’s life than the one God used to describe David, “a man after my own heart.”

What do we know about God’s heart? How can we be people who pursue what is dear to Him? One of my favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 22:16: “‘He helped those who were poor and needy, so everything went well for him. That is what it means to know God,’ says the Lord.”

To know God is to obey Him, to be about His business. Scripture is full of evidence that the poor are dear to God’s heart.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” – Psalm 82:3

“Share your food with the hungry and bring poor, homeless people into your own homes.” – Isaiah 58:7

He equates kindness to the poor with showing honor to Him.

“Being kind to the poor is like lending to the LORD; he will reward you for what you have done.” – Proverbs 19:17

He promises blessings to those who care for the poor…

“Generous people will be blessed, because they share their food with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9

…and condemnation for those who don’t.

“The one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.” – Proverbs 28:27

The Old Testament sets out clear provisions for the poor: food was to be left in the fields for them to gather; interest was not to be charged on their loans; and accommodations were made for them with regard to the required sacrifices.

Jesus himself quotes Isaiah in explaining the reason for his coming: “...he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

To be people after God’s heart, we must defend the weak and fatherless, share our food with the hungry, be openhanded toward the needy and proclaim to the poor: “God loves you. You are of infinite value to Him.” Good news indeed.

Your partnership reflects the heart of God. Thank you!

 

In His Likeness: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer

3 min read

In His Likeness: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Ephesians 2:10 Friends, I don’t know if your garage or shop looks like mine,...

Read More
A Lasting Partnership: The Belden’s commitment to UGM

4 min read

A Lasting Partnership: The Belden’s commitment to UGM

Laughs and tears are shared as Jerry and Stephanie Belden recount years of following Jesus together. They are passionate about supporting Union...

Read More
A Journey of the Heart: The love and power of the Gospel

5 min read

A Journey of the Heart: The love and power of the Gospel

Those who enter our Life Recovery program walk the path toward life change, receiving trauma-informed counseling, parenting support, life skills...

Read More
Heart to Heart: The Heart has Eyes

1 min read

Heart to Heart: The Heart has Eyes

Sometimes we are blind. The problem (for most of us) isn’t with the function of our actual eyeballs, the cornea or the retina or the optical nerve....

Read More
Heart to Heart: Compassion and Accountability

Heart to Heart: Compassion and Accountability

After 30 years in homeless ministry, you'd think I would have it all figured out, that I could coast along to retirement. I'm chuckling at the...

Read More
Decades of Faithfulness: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer

Decades of Faithfulness: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer

While 2022 was a year of exciting new partnerships and profound love and sacrifice in our community, I sit at my desk this New Year and marvel at the

Read More