In short . . . the gospel requires us to be involved in the life of the poor–not only financially, but personally and emotionally. Our giving must not be token but so radical that it brings a measure of suffering into our own lives. And we should be very patiently and nonpaternalistically open-handed to those whose behavior has caused or aggravated their poverty. These attitudes and dimensions of ministry to the poor proceed not simply from general biblical ethical principles but from the gospel itself. Tim Keller, The Gospel and the Poor Rotr the complete paper see ... http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/publications/33-3/the-gospel-and-the-poor