Thoughts on Justice from Tim Kellar

Christians can understand more deeply why they should help the poor when they see themselves spiritually in those that lack materially, said Pastor Tim Keller pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Often people look at a poor person and ask, “Why didn’t you pull yourself up by your bootstraps?” But if God asks that same question to humans then everyone would be spiritually dead, said Keller. And if Christians question whether the poor person will abuse their charity and grace, then they should remember that they have also “trampled” on God’s charity and grace by not living the life they should. “The more you see yourself as spiritually poor and the recipient of God’s overflowing love the more your heart is going to go out to the poor,” said Keller. “When you look at the materially poor you know that in a sense you are looking in a mirror.”