What comes to mind when you think of Charles Haddon Spurgeon? Victorian England? The “Prince of Preachers”? The side-eye in this photo?

Maybe you have studied the Psalms through his Treasury of David or read his Morning and Evening devotional. But did you know that he helped to start and maintain more than 60 outreach programs to people impacted by poverty? I was unaware of the extent of his teaching on the subject or the breadth of his social work, and have benefited greatly by reading Spurgeon and the Poor: How the Gospel Compels Christian Social Concern (2023) by Alex DiPrima.

Spurgeon and the Poor provides a fascinating exploration of gospel-centered mercy ministry in Victorian London. DiPrima delves into Spurgeon’s commitment to serving the impoverished communities of London, showcasing Spurgeon’s belief in the Christian duty to care for the less fortunate.

If there were nowhere else a heart that had sympathy for the needy there should be one found in every Christian breast…To me a follower of Jesus means a friend of man. A Christian is a philanthropist by profession, and generous by force of grace; wide as the reign of sorrow is the stretch of his love, and where he cannot help he pities still. (Spurgeon sermon on Job 30:25, p.xxiii)

He lived what he preached. Whether building a preacher’s college, establishing orphanages, developing “ragged” schools, or launching employment programs, Spurgeon’s initiatives sought to meet immediate needs and to empower individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty. One ministry even utilized the Spurgeon family garden to develop relationships through the gift of flowers. At the same time, he continued to ensure that the Gospel was proclaimed through each ministry.

Spurgeon’s encouragement to his church can be described simply: From your place as an active member in the church, find the needs around you, meet those needs, and keep preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through one sermon in 1876, Spurgeon told his congregation:

If Christ has saved you, he will save you from being selfish. You will love your fellow men; you will desire to do them good. You will endeavor to help the poor; you will try to instruct the ignorant. He who truly becomes a Christian becomes in that very same day a practical philanthropist. No man is a true Christian who is un-Christlike. (p. 22)

This book provides a lesson in how to Biblically contextualize the mercy work of the church. As he explores the socio-economic landscape of Spurgeon’s Victorian England, DiPrima provides valuable insights to understand the complexities of addressing poverty without yielding to the paralysis of needing to answer every intricacy. By examining Spurgeon’s responses to these challenges, the author prompts readers to reflect on the relevance of Spurgeon’s strategies to help the contemporary church confront issues related to the poor.

I am grateful to learn of Charles H. Spurgeon’s legacy of generosity to and care for the downtrodden. Alex DiPrima’s meticulous research and analysis offer readers a nuanced understanding of Spurgeon’s philanthropic vision and its enduring relevance in the church today. Spurgeon and the Poor illustrates how Spurgeon’s faith informed his social concern, and it challenges readers to consider the intersection of faith and love in their own lives.