Human relations with one another are influenced by societal and religious ideologies pertaining to how one should treat another as well personal morals. The most profound example of this relationship is demonstrated in the way Christians treat and act towards the poor. The Gospel of Luke states “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”, which professes the way in which Jesus taught his disciples how to treat the poor and those in need, acting as a cornerstone for the relationship between Christians and the poor (Lk 14:13-14). The defining characteristic here is the fact that Christians must
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This fosters an environment where people are able to embrace their beliefs in morality and care for others, especially the poor and in need. MLK exemplifies this care for others in his discussion of being a good neighbor saying, “The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others” (MLK 4). To bridge the connection between Christianity and the poor, you must accept the fact that the betterment of others comes before unnecessary pleasures for one’s self. This defines altruism, which is a single word that embodies both Luke’s and Martin Luther King’s idea of how Christians should treat the poor. Luke’s gospel builds off this idea of the good neighbor that Martin Luther King describes through the parable of the Good Samaritan. Defined by the phrase “love your neighbor as yourself”, the Good Samaritan acted to aid the beaten and stripped man for unselfish reasons (Lk 10:27). Even though the priest and Levite walked by, the Good Samaritan “went to him and bandaged his wounds…” (Lk 10:34). This struggling man represents the poor and suffering of today and the actions of the Good Samaritan are what all Christians are called to do in response to the suffering of the poor. The Good Samaritan “represents the conscience of mankind because he also was obedient to that which could not be enforced” (MLK 5). Martin Luther King emphasizes here the depth of this relationship because it adds the layer that Christians aid not only for selfless reasons but are also not influenced or forced to do
This fosters an environment where people are able to embrace their beliefs in morality and care for others, especially the poor and in need. MLK exemplifies this care for others in his discussion of being a good neighbor saying, “The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others” (MLK 4). To bridge the connection between Christianity and the poor, you must accept the fact that the betterment of others comes before unnecessary pleasures for one’s self. This defines altruism, which is a single word that embodies both Luke’s and Martin Luther King’s idea of how Christians should treat the poor. Luke’s gospel builds off this idea of the good neighbor that Martin Luther King describes through the parable of the Good Samaritan. Defined by the phrase “love your neighbor as yourself”, the Good Samaritan acted to aid the beaten and stripped man for unselfish reasons (Lk 10:27). Even though the priest and Levite walked by, the Good Samaritan “went to him and bandaged his wounds…” (Lk 10:34). This struggling man represents the poor and suffering of today and the actions of the Good Samaritan are what all Christians are called to do in response to the suffering of the poor. The Good Samaritan “represents the conscience of mankind because he also was obedient to that which could not be enforced” (MLK 5). Martin Luther King emphasizes here the depth of this relationship because it adds the layer that Christians aid not only for selfless reasons but are also not influenced or forced to do