Paul's great collection for Christians living in Jerusalem during a famine was something like an obsession for him. It was his chance to put his theology to practice and to give the Gentile Christians to whom God had sent him the opportunity to put their faith into practice by sharing their material blessings. This study gives tremendous insight into the social, political, and theological context in which the Christian Church grew. It provides the theological reason for our acts of charity and human care, underlining the assertion of James, If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:15-17). Remember the Poor features historical context and in-depth study of key New Testament texts that tell of Paul's collection for Jerusalem and its impact on the first-century Church. In addition, study and discussion questions help readers better understand the role of the Church in caring for the poor and needy then and now.
