John,
1. The local church needs to seriously pray about making this a ministry.
2. The local church can help the needy as the opportunity arises, or it can venture into a program that offers help to those in need, e.g., a soup kitchen, food bank, etc.
3. Like any ministry, it must begin with a burden of the heart and a desire to do the will of God.
4. And, like any ministry, it must be budgeted according to the tithes and offerings of the body of Christ.
No one church is going to totally eradicate the problem of the poor. But to do nothing is not an option, IMHO. It need not "choke out" anything, for if it is the Lord's will to enter into this type of ministry, surely the Lord Who created the burden in the hearts of the saints to begin with will supply all that is needed to accomplish what is desired.
Oh yes.... re: "
Do we indiscrimately help those in need who show no spiritual desire?". Ask yourself this similar question, "Do we indiscriminately preach the Gospel to those in need who show no spiritual desire?" I man, woman or child who starves to death isn't going to respond to anything spiritual. Man was created with both a body and a soul. Both are to be cared for. Is food reserved only for the ones who profess faith in Christ?
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