Why FUNPRONI?

Today, the church of our Lord is directing it's efforts in many activities such as worship, evangelism, discipleship, crusades etc.. We can run the risk of forgetting some of the basic principles of the Christian life, among them and most important is LOVE. This love which Christ showed us by His dying on the cross does not allow us to ignore the poor, the orphan or the widow. If we call ourselves Christians this means that we are disciples and followers and also ambassadors of His kingdom, therefore we can do no less than treat the needy as Christ would treat them.

 

God is declared as defender of the poor and widows ---

Father of orphans

 

Psalms 14:6 ; Isaiah 25:4; Psalms 40:17; Isaiah 41:14;

Psalms 68:10

 

In the Old Testament the tithe was used to sustain the priests. (Numbers 18:26) and the Levites (Numbers 18:28) in order to celebrate the sacred meals (Deuteronomy 14:22-27) and to help the poor, the orphans, and the widows. (Deuteronomy 14:28,29)

 

Also God gave specific laws to protect the needy. For example: in regard to the harvest they should leave a part for the poor, orphans, and widows. (Deuteronomy 24:17-22) Concerning loaning to others, every seven years they were required to cancel the debts of those not able to repay. In spite of having given these established laws, many times God's people forgot them and God had to send prophets to remind them. (Isaiah 1:21-26)

 

Jesus in His ministry not only preached this, but He also practiced it. While walking with His disciples they carried a purse from which they gave to the poor and needy. (John 12:5,6; John 13:29) On more than one occasion He ordered those who wished to be His followers to care for the poor. (Matthew 19:21; Leviticus 12:33) Jesus did not consider such generosity optional; rather, one of the standards of righteousness. (Matthew 25:31-46)

 

We believe that the poor, the orphan, and the widow are not an opportunity to feel compassion, but rather they are an opportunity to serve Christ and invest in His kingdom, for He who gives to the poor gives to God.