A Humanitarian Heart

by Natalie Gidney | Aug 18, 2025 | Acting in Faith, General, Resources

What Is a Humanitarian?

We sometimes assume that one must be wealthy to be a humanitarian. Is that true? The Cambridge Dictionary defines a humanitarian as a “(person who is) involved in or connected with improving people’s lives and reducing suffering.” * Every single person who is moved with compassion and intentionally gives generously to help alleviate poverty, suffering, and injustice can be considered a humanitarian.

This world is full of suffering. But there is suffering in some places in the world that is preventable. Together, we can make a difference to alleviate unnecessary pain. We can help be hope in hard places when we partner together for sustainable change.

A Biblical Example

There is an account recorded in both Mark and Luke about a woman who gave 2 small coins. Jesus was sitting across from the offering boxes when He saw her and spoke of her offering. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on,” Luke 21:1-4.

At that time, there were two types of offering boxes, one for the Temple tax and other ones for freewill offerings. This widow put her last two coins in the freewill offering, giving above and beyond what was required. This is the heart of a true humanitarian.

man with soccer ball surrounded by children

How You Can Be a Humanitarian

The world needs more people committed to living the life of a humanitarian. One thing I have learned is that God’s economy is not the same as my economy. I can never outgive God, He is always more generous.

In the Old Testament, God’s people were instructed to give a 10% tithe. When Jesus came, He talked about generous giving. “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” Mark 12:17. God owns it all. It is by His grace and mercy that I live where I do, that I have the family I have, and that I have the things I have. He calls me to hold everything loosely and surrender it all to Him. Giving generously is part of that.

We may not be able to help everyone, but we can help someone. From small to large donations, every gift matters for those in need. Transformational development work starts with people who have their hearts tuned in to Jesus asking, “What do you want me to do?” – then doing it. If everyone does something, together we can increase opportunity, restore dignity, and ignite hope in hard places.