* Paul is urging the believers to help the poor.

* He already outlined that generosity does three things - it leads to love, it provides for a need, and it unites the church.

* But notice in these verses what Paul points out:

* One day the people who received the gift would be able to give back to others in need (vs 14).

* The poor person today isn’t meant to stay poor, which means they are meant to WORK!

* Paul wanted poor people to have enough to “get back on their feet” so they could work their way out of poverty.

* And when they got out they could then help others get out.

* He didn’t want those who have to be a constant supply for those who don’t.

* This is opposite of the welfare mentality, which is a top down approach that keeps people perpetually at the bottom.

* People on welfare are not incentivized to work.

* vs 15 - the word “gathering” means WORK!

* I call this the “working poor.” Like the server at the local diner.

* When the working rich help the working poor, one day the working poor may become the working rich so they can help the working poor.

* What do we do? Two things:

* 1) Look for the working poor.

* 2) Seek to give opportunities over money.

* One caveat - this does not take into account poverty in third world nations - that’s a different matter altogether.