Man Pities Woman Using Food Stamps

While picking up provisions for a weekend trip, author Donald Miller describes what happened as he stood in line at the grocery store.

At the checkout ...

Needy Woman Gives to Others

Gary Waddingham, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Billings, Montana, tells this story:

Several years ago, when I was ministering in a small ...

Physician Describes the Frustrations of Compassion

For decades, Christian physician David Hilfiker has led a medical ministry in Washington, D.C.'s inner city. He writes:

Perhaps the deepest pain involved ...

Students Ignored Needy to Preach Good Samaritan Sermon

In research done by Darley and Batson at Princeton in 1973, a group of theology students was told that they were to go across campus to deliver a sermon ...

Spiritual Advantages of Poverty

Why would God single out the poor for special attention over any other group? I used to wonder. What makes the poor deserving of God's concern? I ...

Casino Promotes Gambling as a Solution to Debt

A casino in New Mexico ran an ad that offered an interesting solution for those facing financial problems. The Isleta Casino & Resort bills itself as ...

The Dramatic Conception of Sunday School

Robert Raikes was a bit of a dandy—walking about town in his wig and claret-colored coat, and carrying a gold snuff case—but he was also a ...

The Poor Need Joy

Mother Teresa was sometimes challenged about the long-term effects of her humanitarian ministry. For example, she was asked, "Why give people fish ...

Gospel Singer Sees Material Poverty but Spiritual Wealth

In 1988, in a small, struggling church in Argentina, gospel singer Damaris Carbaugh saw something she wanted. She was accompanying Brooklyn Tabernacle ...

When Tithing Was More Than a Tenth

How much people gave in the Old Testament is hazy. Most people say 10 percent. That's true for starters, because in the Old Testament there were several ...