Did you know that around 700 million people live on less than $2.15 per day? While stats like this can make us feel like poverty is too big of a problem to tackle, that’s not true — there’s plenty we can do. Here, you’ll learn how to help those in poverty and see examples of people changing lives around the world.
What’s Here:
- Why Should We Help Those Living in Poverty?
- How to Help Those in Poverty: 8 Ways
- Meet Two People Just Like You Helping Those in Need
Why Should We Help Those Living in Poverty?
Poverty doesn’t discriminate. It can touch people living in a country on the other side of the world or within your own community. And as followers of Jesus, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to those suffering in poverty.
Instead, we should follow Jesus’ example by helping the sick (Matthew 8:1-3), feeding the hungry (Matthew 14:13-21) and standing up for the impoverished around us (Mark 10:21-22).
Throughout the Bible, we’re called to stand in the gap for those in need:
- Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV): Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
- Psalm 82:3 (NIV): Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
- Luke 14:12-14 (NIV): Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
By following this call to help those in poverty, we’ll do so much more than provide physical care and support. We’ll share the gospel by being Jesus’ hands and feet. The gospel offers hope to anyone, no matter how beaten down or forgotten they feel. And it’s hope that lasts despite their circumstances.
How to Help Those in Poverty: 8 Ways
So how do we help those living in poverty? How do we act like Jesus and share hope? There are many simple but powerful ways you can do your part, starting today, both in your community and for those around the world.
1. Learn More About Poverty
The first step toward helping those living in poverty is to learn. The more you understand about poverty, the easier it will be to talk about it and advocate for those it hurts.
To get you started, Compassion has a ton of resources that can help you better understand what poverty is, what it looks like and how it affects people.
Have littles you want to talk to about poverty? Compassion Explorer is an excellent resource!
2. Talk About Poverty
After diving into those resources, you should have a solid understanding of poverty and its impacts. Now it’s time to put what you know into action. One of the best things you can do to help those living in poverty is to simply talk about it.
By talking about poverty, you bring awareness to it. You help others see that it’s a serious problem and that it’s our responsibility to help solve it.
During conversations with those around you, don’t be afraid to share what you know. Discuss the impacts of poverty. Share some of the ways to help that you’ll learn about below. Who knows, you just might inspire someone to join you in your efforts.
3. Advocate on Social Media
Most of us have multiple social media apps on our phones these days. Why not use them for good by raising awareness about poverty?
Post an interesting stat about poverty. Share a Bible verse about helping others. Talk about upcoming volunteer opportunities in your community. There are endless ways to use your social platforms for advocacy!
Want some easily shareable content? Check out Compassion’s Facebook and Instagram.
4. Volunteer Your Time or Talents
A recent survey of nonprofit organizations found that nearly half, 46.8%, of those organizations have trouble recruiting volunteers. Unfortunately, this makes it hard for organizations to help those in need. Luckily, you can help!
You could serve at your local soup kitchen or even volunteer with Compassion. Another way to help is by volunteering your talents.
For example, if you’re a writer, perhaps you could volunteer to create social media posts for a charity to spread the word about their services. Or, if you speak another language, perhaps you could offer to be a translator.
There are endless ways to volunteer your time or talents to organizations in need. And it’s pretty easy to find opportunities! For example, you can use websites like VolunteerMatch to find needs in your area.
5. Donate to a Cause
Is there a cause you feel strongly about? Maybe you’re a teacher passionate about helping children in poverty get educations so they can achieve their dreams. Did you know Compassion has a fund for that? Or maybe you’re a nurse who wants to provide medical checkups for little ones. There’s a fund for that too!
There are so many incredible causes out there you can support. Consider what cause God has placed on your heart. Then, do some searching to see if you can find an organization or group dedicated to that cause. A quick online search can help.
6. Get Creative With Your Resources
In Mark 12:41-44, we find Jesus sitting and watching people bring their offerings to the temple. While many rich people brought in large amounts of money, a widow living in poverty put in just two very small coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.” — Mark 12:43-44
What we find interesting here is this: It’s not about the amount; it’s about your heart. Maybe you don’t have the financial ability to donate to a cause. Maybe you can’t go buy someone’s groceries. But you can give of the resources you do have by getting creative.
For example, perhaps there are items around your house that you’re no longer using that you could give to a local charity. Or perhaps you could visit a local shelter and offer a prayer and a hug to those going through hard circumstances.
7. Connect Those in Need With Help
Within the U.S., we’re blessed to have many resources available to help those in need. However, we often forget that accessing those resources can be tough — challenges like transportation or the need to take off work can keep people from the help they need.
This is where you come in. For example, you could offer to drive someone to their local clinic for the care they need. Or you could offer them access to your home computer so they can sign up for available resources.
Seemingly small gestures like these can make all the difference when it comes to someone receiving the support they need to thrive.
8. Become a Child’s Loving Sponsor
Worldwide, many of the people suffering in poverty are children. In fact, UNICEF estimates that 333 million children live in extreme poverty across the globe. Sadly, children are especially vulnerable to the effects of poverty.
Without nutritious food, children can’t grow or develop properly. Without medical care, children suffer from preventable illnesses. Without education, children can’t get the skills they need to become self-sufficient adults. And the list of consequences goes on.
Fortunately, there’s something you can do for these children right now. By becoming a sponsor, you’ll help deliver the consistent love and care a child needs to leave poverty behind, just by donating once per month.
Compassion equips local churches in impoverished communities to offer the hope of the gospel, nutrition support, medical care, education and so much more to children in need.
How do we ensure these churches have what they need to help children in their communities? Through supporters just like you who have said yes to child sponsorship.
Did you know? When we surveyed 99 Compassion alumni from the Dominican Republic, 97% said they were released from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Meet Two People Just Like You Helping Those in Need
At Compassion, we’re blessed to have so many incredible supporters who are making a difference. Meet Jenith and Reva, two sponsors who are changing the lives of children around the world.
Jenith Writes Encouraging Messages to 52 Children Living in Poverty
Jenith lives in the U.S., but her yes to helping those in need is touching lives around the globe. Not only does she sponsor two children, but she’s also a Compassion correspondent, writing messages to 52 children living in poverty.
While writing a letter to a child in need may seem like such a small act, it has an incredible impact.
To these children, Jenith’s messages are invaluable. The messages tell the children that they’re deeply loved and cared for, despite their circumstances. They show them they have a God-given purpose. And they inspire them to have hope for a brighter future beyond poverty.
“I just really believe in the power of our words to have an impact on children’s lives, to remind them of how much they’re loved and how special they are, and to encourage them to do their best.” — Jenith
Reva Inspires Leidy to Reach for Her Dreams
Leidy, a young girl living in Bolivia, knows firsthand the devastating impacts of poverty. As a young woman, she’s watching her father die of Chagas disease, a parasitic illness affecting the heart. Sadly, this disease is common in impoverished areas where inadequate shelter, lack of access to medical care and other challenges are prevalent.
But through the pain and sorrow, Leidy has found purpose. She now aspires to help others by training to be a nurse. And she’s inspired, in large part, by her special sponsor, Reva, who encourages Leidy from Kentucky.
Reva, a practicing OB/GYN, felt the call to sponsor Leidy because of her passion for health care. Now, her encouragement is helping change Leidy’s life, which will impact other lives as Leidy cares for those in her community.
Children and families living in poverty need someone to step up on their behalf — and that can be you. And just like Jenith and Reva, you have something to give. Let the above tips inspire you to act on behalf of someone who needs help today.
Help a Child in Desperate Need
A child living in poverty needs YOU. Learn how you can help a child in need by discovering more about child sponsorship.
