Believers in Christ ought to be more special to us than our earthly family. This was true for Jesus. For he said, ‘“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” As lovers of Christ Jesus, we must seek to have the same priorities he does. And we know that, from Christ's prayer in John 17:24, he died for those who the Father gave to him. Therefore, since he loved and continues to love our brothers and sisters by dying for them, so we ought also to love them. The promises in the book of life are there for the believer, not the unbeliever. The Father makes a distinction between his children and his creation and treats them accordingly, and so must we.
Consider the words of John in 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Also in 1 John 3:11, “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” This message John is referring to is one given by Christ in John 13:34-35, ‘“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”’ These are only a few of the many verses that command us to love one another. Interestingly, what are missing are many verses about loving those in the world. Of course, we are to love those in the world, but in a distinct way, one which includes evangelism.
Often times people quote scriptures regarding helping the poor without considering the context. For example both in Acts 4 and Acts 6, the poor that are being taken care of, are specifically believers. Acts 4:34 states, “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold…” The them Luke is referring to are disciples of Christ. These new disciples were not selling all they had and giving to all of the poor, but the poor within the body of Christ. This kind of generosity is also commanded in Deuteronomy 15:7-8, “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” In James 2:15-17 it states, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Here the good work is helping out a brother or sister in Christ. Or consider 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This verse is specifically referring to our actual households, but given Christ’s understanding of family, I believe it can be extended to reflect the Lord’s will regarding the Bride of Christ.
Now, I do not believe that all of this means we should not help poor who are unbelievers. By no means! We are called to “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor,” therefore we ought to honor and respect all who we meet and interact with (1 Pet. 2:17). I just wonder what reason we are giving people to join us, when people see that we love them more than our own brothers and sisters? How will they know us by our love, if our love for our brothers and sisters is not distinct is some way? If it is not more of a priority? I wonder, if, in an effort to save the world we have neglected our true family? Lastly, consider 1 Corinthians 8 where Paul discusses food offered to idols. Paul states that it is better for you to not eat the food offered to idols for the sake of your brother, than eat the food for the sake of the person who has offered it to you. Our love for our brothers and sisters must supersede all, if we are to be an effective witness in the world. Finally, “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth,” (1 John 3:11-18).