Good Question: Which Religions Value / Promote Serving People On The Margins?
This great question was posed by Jodi. When I read her question, I immediately thought, “All the major religions value serving the poor.” Then I realized that I think that because I have heard others say it, but I have never really checked it out for myself. This morning, I attended worship at Church of the Open Door. 
Their new worship pastor, a young guy by the name of Stefan Van Voorst, gave an inspiring talk about his deep friendship with an Arab Muslim in the Middle East. His friend has chosen to serve the poorest of the poor there. I like it when I find direct evidence of things in my experience and relationships. For some reason, it means more to me.
But I also found evidence on the internet. Islam Overview
Serving the poor and disadvantaged is central to Islamic faith, because it allows a Muslim to grow in generosity of heart, so that self-concern and vanity will not get in the way of his or her submission to God.
From the Journal of Student Ministries
The call to seek justice and serve others is common among many world religions. In fact justice and service may be the table at which all the world’s faith traditions can sit in agreement without compromising their own identities or theologies.
And finally, there are Jewish social service agencies in most communities.
These are just some of the many references I found on the internet.
Does anyone have real life stories of seeing and experiencing first hand the different world religions serving the poor?
