My Moral Obligation
Nicole Swires
Mrs. Matayabas
ENG 101 2:05
18 February 2010
My Moral Obligation to the Poor Have you ever stopped to think about all the general essentials you have access to and all the material possessions you have been blessed with? Often times I see people around me who seem unhappy with what they do have. There is nothing wrong with wanting or buying more than what we need; luxuries are nice. The problem comes in when we only think about ourselves and not about other people. Some people can hardly meet the basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and a place to live; but yet how often do we stop to acknowledge this problem going on in the world around us? I believe I have a moral obligation to the poor because I have been blessed with more than enough and what I have been blessed with is meant to be shared with other people who are less fortunate than me. To begin, my understanding of moral obligation was presented to me through the Bible. There are many times mentioned in the Bible that tells of how people should help the poor. The Bible is the foundation for everything I believe, including my moral obligation to those less fortunate than me. For example, the Bible says, “'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you” (Leviticus 25:35 NIV). This means that when people see someone else become poor or someone who is already poor, people have an obligation to help the poor person out. Another case in the Bible Jesus states, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV). In other words, when people serve others or meet the needs of others, God is glorified through that action; that act of service is as if someone did the service for God Himself. Serving others and meeting other people’s needs is what I believe people are called to do. With this in
Mrs. Matayabas
ENG 101 2:05
18 February 2010
My Moral Obligation to the Poor Have you ever stopped to think about all the general essentials you have access to and all the material possessions you have been blessed with? Often times I see people around me who seem unhappy with what they do have. There is nothing wrong with wanting or buying more than what we need; luxuries are nice. The problem comes in when we only think about ourselves and not about other people. Some people can hardly meet the basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and a place to live; but yet how often do we stop to acknowledge this problem going on in the world around us? I believe I have a moral obligation to the poor because I have been blessed with more than enough and what I have been blessed with is meant to be shared with other people who are less fortunate than me. To begin, my understanding of moral obligation was presented to me through the Bible. There are many times mentioned in the Bible that tells of how people should help the poor. The Bible is the foundation for everything I believe, including my moral obligation to those less fortunate than me. For example, the Bible says, “'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you” (Leviticus 25:35 NIV). This means that when people see someone else become poor or someone who is already poor, people have an obligation to help the poor person out. Another case in the Bible Jesus states, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV). In other words, when people serve others or meet the needs of others, God is glorified through that action; that act of service is as if someone did the service for God Himself. Serving others and meeting other people’s needs is what I believe people are called to do. With this in
Cited: Ewalt, Patricia L. "The Revitalization of Impoverished Communities." Social Work Sept. 1997: 413. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 18 Feb. 2010. Zodervan New Women’s Devotional Bible. International Bible Society; Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, U.S.A.; Zodervan, 2006. Print. New Int. Ver.