Who must care for the poor?

The bottom line: all of us.

• The government. Many people today look to the government to take care of the poor. Other people point to the inherent limitations and historical flaws of government poverty programs. Government certainly has its proper role, but it is only one part of the equation.
  
  As citizens, we should not leave this responsibility to others but rather we should fully enter into the public discussion of what government should do for the poor and what it should not.
  
  
• Non-governmental organizations. Many say that nongovernmental organizations (private charities, faith-based groups, etc) do a better job than governments of helping the poor permanently rise above their poverty. Not all the people who say this, however, give a fair share of their money and time to these organizations. These organizations have their proper role, but they are only one part of the equation.
  
  As members of society, we cannot stand off by ourselves, but we should make use of these organizations to combine our time, talents, and treasure for the betterment of our fellow man.
  
  
• Our individual efforts. Too many of us have an “I gave at the office” mentality. Caring for our brothers and sisters in need should not just be a matter of politics or charitable donations or social involvement.
  
  Each of us as individuals, as we go about our lives, have an obligation to be keep our hearts open to those in need. To be sure, we must be prudent – we should not destroy ourselves and we must not fail in our responsibilities to our children and those entrusted to our care – but we must be careful about using excuses as a cover for our own selfishness.
  
  
• The poor themselves. Too often, care that is given to poor people treats them as passive creatures, not as human beings of dignity and worth. What the rest of us do to help the poor must help them as much as possible to help themselves and to become contributing members of society: people of worth who add value. Too many people have been caught in a quagmire of dependence that continues for generations.
  
  Human beings who are poor remain human beings and they should be encouraged to help themselves as much as possible (which is not to absolve government, charities, or the rest of us from our obligations to help).

Who must care for the poor?

Each of us - rich and poor, governments and charities, groups and individuals – you and I must care for the poor - for God's sake, for their sake, and for our own.