Loving Our Neighbor, Strengthening Our Witness: Why Christians Should Support Foreign Aid

As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors—not just the ones across the street, but also those across the ocean. That calling doesn’t end at our borders. For decades, the United States has led the world in humanitarian aid, helping millions through programs that reflect the very heart of the Gospel: feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and caring for the least of these. One of the most impactful of these programs, PEPFAR, has saved millions of lives from HIV/AIDS. Yet today, this life-saving work is under threat—not because it isn’t effective, but because of political debates at home.

When Christians engage in discussions about foreign aid, it's important to distinguish between genuine concern for stewardship and a harmful retreat from global responsibility. Aid programs like PEPFAR were born out of a vision that combined compassion with results—offering hope in places where despair had taken root. The success of these efforts should remind us that it is possible to express our faith not just in word, but in tangible action that changes lives. Abandoning that witness because of political disputes sends the wrong message, both to those we help and to the watching world.

Some argue that foreign aid can be misused to advance values that conflict with Christian beliefs. That’s a legitimate concern. But the solution isn’t to pull the plug on life-saving aid. Instead, we should advocate for accountability and transparency in how funds are used, while continuing to support the core mission: healing and saving lives. If we walk away entirely, we forfeit our chance to shape the conversation and influence outcomes in a way that aligns with both truth and grace.

We must also remember the broader context. While the U.S. debates its role in global health, nations like China are stepping in with infrastructure and financial aid—often with strings attached. If Christians care about promoting justice, peace, and human dignity, we cannot ignore the spiritual and strategic vacuum our absence creates. A robust, values-based foreign aid program doesn’t just save lives—it strengthens America’s moral authority and gives voice to our deepest convictions on the world stage.

Supporting foreign aid is not just good policy—it’s faithful discipleship. It’s one of the clearest ways we can live out Jesus’s command to care for the vulnerable. Programs like PEPFAR are proof that when we act in love, we don’t just change statistics—we change destinies. For Christians, that’s not just a good investment. It’s a sacred calling.

Read the full article here: Getting Foreign Aid Right