“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” - Matthew 25:40
Some exciting things are happening that will give you more ways to help “the least of these” in God’s Kingdom. Brian Holtz joins us today with details about how we can all have the greatest impact in helping those in need.
Brian Holtz is the CEO of Compass Financial Ministry and the author of Financial Discipleship for Families: Intentionally Raising Faithful Children.
A Call to Reach the Margins
When it comes to helping families in financial crisis, good intentions aren’t always enough. Real transformation requires more than quick fixes—it takes relationships, discipleship, and time. That’s the heart behind Making Ends Meet, a small group video study from Compass Financial Ministry designed to equip churches and communities to walk with struggling families toward lasting financial health.
Most financial ministries have historically focused on middle—and upper-income families, but Compass felt God pushing them to address those with no financial margin at all—those who aren’t just managing poorly but truly don’t have enough income to meet basic needs.
In response, Compass partnered with ministries that specialize in serving low-income families to learn the unique challenges these households face, many of which go far beyond budgeting.
Why Money Alone Isn’t Enough
Simply giving money doesn’t create lasting change. It may provide short-term relief, but study after study shows that injecting money into poverty doesn’t solve the deeper problem.
That’s not a reason to stop giving—it’s a reason to start giving differently.
Jesus didn’t just heal people and walk away. He invited them to follow Him. That’s the model we need to follow—combining financial help with relational investment.
When someone is experiencing financial hardship, it’s often not just a matter of dollars and cents—it’s about identity, family history, and deeply ingrained beliefs. That’s why true transformation requires more than a checkbook; it requires presence.
When we invest relationally, we gain credibility. That allows us to speak into someone’s life in a way that supports their heart and habits.
Understanding the Emotional Barriers
One of the surprising lessons Compass learned during the development of Making Ends Meet is how emotional the journey out of poverty can be.
Many poor communities are deeply interdependent. They share what they have and support each other in powerful ways, like the early church in Acts.
But when someone begins to move toward financial stability, it can create fear: Will I lose my community if I start to thrive? Will I be accepted if I have more than those around me?
This anxiety can be paralyzing, which is why patience and prayer are so critical. These are generational challenges. They won’t be overcome overnight, but change is possible with consistent love and support.
Learn More and Get Involved
The beauty of Making Ends Meet is its simplicity. You don’t need to be a financial expert to use it. If you care about people and are willing to walk with them, the study provides a step-by-step framework to break cycles of poverty and help families build a new mindset.
This is for anyone already serving in their community through their church, a shelter, or a mentoring ministry. Compass provides the tools t
