Passion for the Poor by Marc Henkel

Here is an excellent Bible Study on poverty written by Marc Henkel, Here's Life Inner City Staff in Chicago: http://thenewculture.org/only-here/poor-mh-2/

Excerpt:

“People often ask ‘Were you called to minister to the poor?’ We are all called to minister to the poor. Such a ministry is the logical obedience of any disciple imitating the attitudes, character and teaching of Jesus. He commands everyone to renounce all (Luke 14:33), to give to the poor and live simply. But we would need a special call to minister primarily to the rich or middle-class, for the focus of Christian ministry is ‘good news to the poor.’ Not all, however, are called to a life of identification with the poor by living among them!”  “We are to enjoy life, but with and for the poor and needy.”  

“My message to the middle-class could be summed up by the following five slogans:  Earn much, Consume little, Hoard nothing, Give generously, Celebrate life.”

Viv Grigg, Companion to the Poor, p80 & 84