the poor

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17 NLT

Giving to the poor is best done through organisations with experience in the nature of the problem mostly. This does not mean we cannot help a person we know who is going through difficult times, in fact we should. 

Regarding the first instance, a friend and I were caught out in Nepal. We had raised money to help after the earthquake in 2015. We took advice from a man who had been in Nepal for quite some time, and so felt safe. However, the person we employed to help us took advantage of us. We wanted to do a water project and he told us his village was in need. When I went back to inspect the job I discovered that pipelines had been cut and the water used not for drinking but for crops. There was a neibouring village who needed the project for drinking water.  Needless to say I was cross. I also discovered when I went out on a missions trip pastors would welcome me with their hand out. They did not want God they wanted money to buy land to bury people, money to buy things with. I did not have the money and told them so. I also had the Lord tell me that He had given them a way to fund themselves, and they must use it and trust Him. They were not impressed.

Whilst there are many poor in places like Nepal, many have mobile phones whilst squatting in the dirt with rags for clothes. They were  status symbols.

What did I learn? If I want to give, give through organisations that are supported by Samaritan 's purse or Compassion etc. These organisations in the countries affected know best how to meet the needs.