I would like to refer a question to you. Your thoughts would be much valued.
I'm a bank employee and am able to provide a decent living for my family (wife and 3 kids). In my country's (3rd world) standards, I can say that we're living a bit more comfortably compared to many. Although definitely not in luxury... non-airconditioned house (my parent's, but they asked us to live there), a lemon van, KFC once a month, no extra to give to parents or siblings....
In James chapter 2:
14. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15. If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16. and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,'' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
Also in Matthew 25:
41. "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, `Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
42. `for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
43. `I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
44. "Then they also will answer Him, saying, `Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'
45. "Then He will answer them, saying, `Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
46. "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.''
The Master gives so much emphasis on loving our neighbors especially those who are in need. And I know that this is expected of us as followers of the Lord.
In my case however, I guess 5 out of 10 neighbors are in need. And in many populated areas, James 2:15 is not an IF but a given. I know I need to do something but for whom, how, when and how much, I am not fully persuaded about. Am I in disobedience when for instance I sleep comfortably in my room with my family, on a stormy night, knowing that street children are out there in the cold. Or when we eat steak while many try to eke out a meal from garbage cans.