God requires you to have enough money to give generously to the poor.

This responsibility will never end, for Jesus said the poor would always be among us. "For ye have the poor with you always..." (Mark 14:7).

Not only will the poor always be among us, Jesus goes on to tell us He leaves it up to us how often we help them, "...whensoever ye will ye may do them good..." (Mark 14:7).

Our Lord does not specify a percentage of your income that you should give to the poor. He simply says you are to help them as often as you will. It's totally up to you how much of your income you make available to the poor. With this information comes good news, as well as bad news.

First, the good news.

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again" (Prov. 19:17).

In this verse we see two very important things about giving to the poor. First, a gift to the poor is actually a loan to God. Second, God promises to pay you back the money you give to the poor.

Isn't it just like our Lord to put up His own good name for those who have no assets?

Now, the bad news.

"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard" (Prov. 21:13).

When you turn a deaf ear to the cry of the poor, you automatically set a negative force in motion. If you do not assist the poor when they cry for help, you will face a time when you will need help in your own life.

The Bible goes on to say that when your time of need arises, no one will hear your cry. God wants you to have enough money to give to every poor person who asks something of you.

Once again, it's up to you to decide how much money you will need to help the poor people you meet during your lifetime.

Source: War on Debt by John Avanzini
Excerpt permission granted by HIS Publishing Company