Book recommendations

[The Calvinistic Methodist]

Hello all,

I feel lost on how to love and serve the widow, the orphan, and the poor. I don’t have much money or time. I am a struggling seminary student with a family. But my heart is hurting for these people groups. I feel weird handing $50 to someone panhandling, but I can’t walk away! Book advice for practical application?

 

[Jake]

Check out When Helping Hurts by Fikkert and Corbett.

 

[Ben_Leevey]

Hello all,

I feel lost on how to love and serve the widow, the orphan, and the poor. I don’t have much money or time. I am a struggling seminary student with a family. But my heart is hurting for these people groups. I feel weird handing $50 to someone panhandling, but I can’t walk away! Book advice for practical application?

You know brother, I live in San Antonio, so a lot of people in need on the streets, particularly the immigrants. As far as handing someone money, I would recommend, instead, ask them what their needs are, and use the money to purchase what they need (food clothing etc).

But moving to book recommendations, firstly James (which you all but referenced) who speaks much of mercy in the believers life.

Also brother, I feel there may be a piece of your problem I'm missing. Say so if I did miss it!

 

[CathH]

The Least, The Last and The Lost, by Mez McConnell.

 

[davejonescue]

A Plea for the Poor - John Downame

It is a very thorough book on benevolence, from a Pastor with the same heart as you, who in his day saw the poor tremendously neglected, even by professing Christians. But what he does offer is godly wisdom and maturity, and biblical reasons to use discernment in different situations; which may remedy a tendency to be a "bleeding heart" so to speak. He is not using "discernment" like we sometimes see today, as a reason for some to be miserly tight-pocketed, but so that your benevolence will make the most impact where it is needed. What I also like about the book is the author lays out a preferential order for your benevolence; which is something I hadnt seen before editing it. Not a huge book, I think only 70-100 something pages, but well worth your time.

Downame, John — A Plea for the Poor (Sermons eBook)

John Downame urges believers to show mercy and charity to the poor, grounding Christian compassion in Scripture and the practice of godliness.

www.monergism.com

 

[Ye_Olde_Heidelberger]

Alex DiPrima's Spurgeon and the Poor. Also, a word of practical advice from a fellow seminarian: instead of passing out money and moving on, try and find a local ministry to serve using your time and gifts. For example, I lead chapel services in a retirement home a couple times a month, and I know of many other seminarians who lead chapels in jails and homeless shelters. These places are often short-handed, and love it when young men come to pitch in. If you feel pressed for time, then use the Lord's Day for this kind of service.

 

[joebonni63]

All of these people the Widow, Orphan, and Poor are mostly in the same area meaning that they have lost human touch. Anything you can do is very valuable to them. I went to dinner with my wife yesterday and this homeless guy was yelling and screaming about nothing so I just started talking to him and when we were done he started to cry and said I haven't talked to anyone in over a year. So what might seem small to some is large to others.

 

[Ben_Leevey]

All of these people the Widow, Orphan, and Poor are mostly in the same area meaning that they have lost human touch. Anything you can do is very valuable to them. I went to dinner with my wife yesterday and this homeless guy was yelling and screaming about nothing so I just started talking to him and when we were done he started to cry and said I haven't talked to anyone in over a year. So what might seem small to some is large to others.

Hmmm. May the LORD help us practice pure and undefiled religion!

 

[C4MERON]

As a deacon, this thread has been very helpful for me too as I have been pondering of late how to better live out my role in provisions for widows & those in need. I may initiate a separate thread for reading recommendations on the office of the Deaconate.