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We have touched on this topic before, but today we are going to pull back a little further, take a 30,000-foot Biblical look, and see best how an Outpost should handle this ever-present circumstance.  All of us should be concerned about the poor.  There are 205 versus in the Bible that deal with the poor.  Two we all know, Mathew 25:40 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ And, Isiah 58:7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  We can all find ourselves in a time of need.

What’s common in both passages is what YOU did for on of the least of these and what YOU shared with the poor.  God intends for this to be part of our walk with Christ, part of our personal character.

We are not to delegate our responsibility to the institution, or the organization.  When you do it falls outside of God’s direction.  We certainly have done this as a society, and yet the Bible has only given one role to the Government in dealing with the poor.  In court the poor is to be dealt fairly and equally to that of every citizen.  The National Institute on Philanthropy monitors charitable organizations and what they do with the resources they are given.  They say the if 60cents of every dollar is not going to the target need then you should not give your money to that organization.  When our government attempts to help the poor only 30cents of every dollar goes to the poor.  It just doesn’t work.  It’s outside of God’s plan.

Interesting story, both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson served on their churches boards to help the poor.  They did this not as politicians but as members of their church.  They knew the role of government and the role of the church.

So, what does all this mean for a Royal Ranger Outpost.  Should we not give to our Outpost?  Can’t we set up an account to help a family in need?  Absolutely you can.  Many times, it is the Outpost that is first made aware of the need and then it is brought before the church body/Outpost family.  But we must put hands and feet to our faith and be patient on God to move in the hearts and minds of individuals.  We must take each case individually and ask for God’s wisdom on what should be done.  Also, we are not talking about a tragedy (death in the family, house fire, etc…)  We are specifically talking about the “poor”.  Financial needs such as:  A Royal Ranger need money to attend Pow Wow, Camporama, a mission’s trip, etc.  At our Outpost we are always available an open to hear the financial needs of our Royal Rangers and families.  Our policy has always been, we will not pay 100%.  The Bible speaks to this by telling us to not harvest the corners of the fields, don’t pic up the grapes that have fallen on the ground.  The poor then comes in and harvests the corners and picks the fallen grapes.  Notice that the poor must help themselves.   There was an interesting study from both Yale and Notre Dame that involved 33 nations.  As the nations increased their aid to the poor church attendance fell by exactly the same percentage.  When the Government gets involved the no longer need God.  God has a plan to lift everyone out of poverty and it is through a personal relationship with Jesus and the fellowship of their church family.

We just had another great story at the Outpost of a young man that wanted to attend Summer Merit Camp.  He came to Commander Wayne to ask if there was any money available for those who couldn’t afford to go.  First, what a humble and honest thing to bring into the light.  Commander Wayne asked him that we could find help but that it wouldn’t be 100%, what can you afford.  Later this young man came back and said he could pay half.  When the young man came by to register, I overheard him tell his mother that he now had one dollar left in his savings.  What a tremendous young man.  Do you think he values SMC and the hard work it took to attend?  The next week Commander Wayne asked a man in the Church if he would mention the need to his small group.  This man immediately put the other half on the counter and said, “I am blessed beyond measure, let me help.”  You see, God wanted to teach this young man the value of hard work and determination as well as the compassion and generosity of being part of a church family.  He also wanted to bless this man with the thrill and blessing of being a cheerful giver.

God has a great plan to enrich our lives and meet all our needs.  When forming policies and protocols for our Outpost we have to constantly look to God’s word for guidance.  It all there.