Remember the Poor – Be generous

Living Bible

 

Part 1              August 16, 2008

 

Introduction

Mark 14:7            Jesus said the poor would always exist

Deut 15:11           The poor will never cease out of the land.  God commands us to be generous with the poor!

Prov 22:2             The rich and poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all

Job 31:15             God made me and my servant too.  He created us both.

1 Sam 2:7-8         Hannah realized God makes the poor and the rich; He brings low and lifts up

Deut 8:18             Don’t forget it is God who gives us the ability to gain wealth

Matt 25:14-15      To some God only gives one talent as opposed to others who receive many

Don’t forget Deut 15:11 and other scriptures we will read about helping the poor!

 

 

God’s admonishment to care for the poor

Ex 22:22-27         If lend money to poor of Israel, not to charge interest.  Don’t keep his pledge clothing

Ex 23:10-11         Let land rest 7th year, volunteer crops for the poor and beasts of the field

Lev 19:9-10         When harvest, not to reap corners nor glean.  Let that for the poor and the stranger

                            Why mentioned in relationship to peace offering and general conduct commandments?

                            Remembering poor to part of our lives just like obeying all God’s commandments.

Lev 23:22             Ditto and mentioned in relationship to Pentecost

                            Why mentioned in relationship to Holy Days?  Allow poor to have food for Holy Days?

Lev 25:24-28       Year of Jubilee to return poor to their family’s land.  Why?  No permanent loss of home, land from which can earn a living.

Lev 25:35-38       To help poor so they can live among you.  Not to charge interest or make a profit

Lev 25:39-43       Not to treat a poor Israelite like a slave nor rule over with rigor

Deut 14:28-29      Third tithe for the Levite, stranger, fatherless and the widow, so have enough to eat

Deut 15:1-15, 18  At the end of every 7 years a canceling of debts for fellow Israelites

                            Lend to the poor, beware of not lending because year of release is near. A sin not to lend

Deut 24:10-22      Never oppress the poor.  Give justice to migrants and orphans.  Don’t gleam fields

Deut 26:12-15      Third tithe is for the Levite, stranger, fatherless and widow so they have enough to eat

 

Psa 37:16             Little that righteous man has is better than riches of many wicked. 

Psa 37: 21, 26      Righteous shows mercy and gives.  He is blessed.

Psa 112:1-10       The upright are gracious and compassionate and lends

                            The righteous has given to the poor

Psa 41:1-3           Blessed is he who considers the poor.  God will deliver him in time of trouble

 


Part 2              August 30, 2008

 

Remember poor on Holy Days and holidays

Esth 9:22              Jews had rest from their enemies, had a holiday of feasting, sent presents to each other & poor

Neh 8:10-12        Don’t weep, rejoice, eat the fat, send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared

 

Same Standards as for the Rich

Ex 30:11-16         Both rich and poor to give one shekel (50 cents) when census taken, money for tabernacle

 

Different Standards because Poor

Lev 5:7                 If couldn’t afford a lamb for a sin offering, then could bring two turtledoves or pigeons

Lev 12:6-8           A poor woman could offer two turtledoves instead of a lamb for her purification

Lev 14:21             A poor leper could bring one lamb instead of two for his trespass offering once clean

Luke 2:22-24       Jesus’ parents could not afford a lamb, so offered two turtledoves

Mark 12:43-41    Poor widow’s mite was worth more than much rich gave

 

Just judgments for poor or rich

Lev 19:13-15       No injustice in judgment.  Don’t be partial to the poor nor honor the rich

Ex 23:3, 6            You shall not show partiality for or against a poor man in his dispute.

Psa 82:1-5           God is angry and admonishes the judges to defend the poor, do justice to the needy

 

God’s admonishment to care for the poor

Luke 3:10-11       If have two tunics, give one to him who has none.  Likewise with food

Luke 6:27-38       Have to do more than just have an emotional good feeling toward enemies.  Jesus gives examples of actions we should demonstrate.  Give to everyone who asks you.  From him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.  If supposed to give to enemy who asks, how much more give to friendly poor.

                            Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down and running over

Luke 10:35-36     Parable of Good Samaritan

Luke 11:41           Give alms of such things as you have, this will make you pure. 

                            Don’t have to give what don’t have, don’t have to borrow to make church donations

Luke 12:33-34     Sell what have and give alms; provide yourselves a treasure in the heavens

Luke 14:12-14     When you give a dinner, don’t ask friends, the rich; invite the poor and will be blessed

 

Poor – oppressed currently

Psa 10:1-18         Come Lord and deal with the proud who oppress the poor

Psa 37:7-22         God laughs at those who plot against the godly, for He knows the judgment day is coming.  The evil how aim to slay the poor will have their own swords plunged into their own hearts.

Psa 109:16           David asks for judgment against the wicked because they don’t show mercy to poor

 

God’s care for the poor

Psa 9:18               The needy shall not always be forgotten.  The expectation of the poor shall not perish

Psa 10:14             The helpless commits himself to God, God is the helper of the fatherless

Psa 12:5               For the oppression of the poor, for sighing of the needy, now I will arise says the Lord

Psa 14:6               Men don’t respect the counsel of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge

Psa 34:6               The poor man cried out and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles

Psa 35:10             The lord delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him


Part 3              November 22, 2008

 

We in the USA live in one of many nations that tax the rich and give to the poor.  What is wrong with that?

New President elect Barak Obama wants to increase taxes on the rich and distribute the wealth.  Many worried about socialism.

Story of old USSR where farmers produced more crops on their small private patches of ground (household plots) than the large collective farms.  In 1938 they accounted for 21.5% of agricultural produce. The average peasant household earned about twice as much from marketings from the private plot as from its work on collective land. In the 1970 private plots in the USSR at their height occupied at most only 4% of the arable land, but they accounted for 40% of its fruits, berries and eggs, over 60% of its potatoes and about 30% of its mild, meat and vegetables.  Even in the 1980’s around half of a family’s food supply was produced from their private land allotment. Why?  Pride of ownership and given rights to income from private land.

Socialism like in the old USSR.  Didn’t work.  Why not?  Was forced, not voluntary.

Bible commands us to help the poor.  But is up to those with assets what and how much to do.  In that sense it is voluntary and we agree to give, this instead to have our wealth taken from us.  Give vs. take!

 

God’s admonishment to care for the poor

Psa 82:1-4           Give justice to the poor and orphan, rescue the poor and helpless

Isa 1:17, 23          Learn to do good, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow

Isa 16:3-4            Give sanctuary to him who escapes, O Moab; be a shelter to those who escape the oppressor

Isa 21:14              God tells people of Tema to care for those who are fleeing for their lives

Isa 32:6-8            The foolish person keeps the hungry unsatisfied, but the generous are firm in generosity

Isa 58:6-11          Share your bread with the hungry.  House the poor who are cast out.  Clothe naked.

Jer 22:3                God says do no wrong or violence to the stranger, fatherless or widow

Eze 18:7, 12, 16-17     A just man has given his bread to the hungry and clothed the naked

Dan 4:27              Daniel’s admonition to king was to break off sins and show mercy to the poor

 

God’s warning for taking advantage of the poor

Isa 3:13-15          God will judge the elders of his people for plundering the poor

Isa 10:1-2            Woe to those who take what is right from the poor of My people, widows are their prey

Jer 5:28-29          The right of the needy they do not defend

Jer 22:13-19        Woe to King Jehoiakim for oppressing poor.  Remember Josiah who was just.

Eze 16:48-50       Judea worse than Sodom proud and rich ignored the poor and needy suffering outside door

Eze 22:7               In you they have oppressed the stranger, mistreated fatherless and the widow

Eze 22:29             The people of the land have used oppressions, robbery, mistreated the poor, needy, stranger

Amos 2:6-7          God will punish Israel for selling the poor for a pair of sandals

Amos 4:1-2          God punish those who oppress the poor, crush the needy

Amos 5:11-12      Won’t live in grand homes because have diverted the poor from justice

Amos 8:4-6          Hear this, you who swallow up the needy and make the poor to fail

Zech 7:8-14         Do not oppress the widow, fatherless, alien or poor

Mal 3:5                God will judge those who exploit wage earners, widows and orphans


 

Part 4              March 21, 2009

 

God’s admonishment to care for the poor

 

WRS Journal 6/1 (February 1999) 1-5

THE PROPHETIC CALL FOR CARE OF THE POOR

Leonard W. Pine

When it comes to the poor and afflicted of this world, the Church at large has generally abandoned its duty and allowed the secular authorities to usurp its role as caretaker of the needy, the afflicted, the destitute. If this were not so, there would be no such thing as a state welfare system, social security, Medicare, and innumerable other government aid programs. There was a time in this country (and others) that the Church fulfilled the role of charity and provision for the poor in society. Amazingly enough, it was at that time that the Church was also at its zenith of activity and influence. Coincidence? I do not think so. 

I trust it does not surprise you when I say that a principle burden of our Lord is for the poor (in terms of finances, power, influence) of this world. God reveals that burden throughout the Scriptures, but nowhere is it more prevalent than in the writings of the prophets. If the poor are a heart concern of our Lord’s, should they not concern us also -- so much so that we are moved to act on their behalf as God does? Even a brief overview of the prophetic message is sufficient to demonstrate clearly that more is required of us than prayer!

 

Matt 5:42             Give to him who asks you, don’t turn away those who want to borrow

Matt 19:21           If you want to be perfect, sell what have and give to the poor, will have treasures in heaven

Luke 18:22           Ditto             If want to be the best, perfect disciple.  Not really an option for us at this time.

Matt 25:31-46      Ignoring poor is ignoring Jesus and result is eternal punishment

Rom 12:8             Different gifts; he who gives, give with liberality

                            Does this mean not everyone has this gift?

Rom 12:13           A Christian shows his love by distributing to the needs of the saints

                            Note here is limited to within church

Rom 12:20           Don’t seek revenge.  Feed and care for enemies.  Assume if poor enemies, not rich enemies.

1 Cor 13:3           Even if give away all goods to help poor and don’t have love, it profits nothing

                            If don’t help poor for the right reasons: love, compassion, concern; it doesn’t count spiritually

2 Cor 8:9-15        If you have much, share with those who don’t.  In future you may need their help

                            Is this socialism?  No!  This is talking about “hard times”.  Famine in Jerusalem for several years.  Hard for Jerusalem Christians to find work to support themselves because persecution.

                            Socialism TAKES from the rich and redistributes the wealth (often to the administrators).  This is voluntary GIVING!

2 Cor 9:6-13        Sow sparingly will reap sparingly.  God loves a cheerful giver

Gal 2:9-10            Jerusalem conference just told Paul to remember the poor, which is already was eager to do

Gal 6:10               As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially those of the faith

Eph 4:28              Don’t steal, get a job and do some good work with hands so have something to give to poor

1 Tim 5:8-10        Don’t accept widow into ministerial support group unless over 60 and has relieved poor

1 Tim 5:16            Church members should help their own widows so church doesn’t have too, help real widows

1 Tim 6:17-19      Do good, ready to give, willing to share

Heb 13:3              Remember those who are in jail.  Share in the sorrow of those who are mistreated

Heb 13:16            Do good and share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased

Jam 1:27              Pure religion is to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to stay clean yourself

Jam 2:2-9             Don’t give preferential treatment to rich, that is a sin

Jam 2:15-16         If see poor church member, give them a blessing without giving them aid, what good is that

Jam 5:4                To the rich which defraud poor workers, their cries reach the ears of God

1 John 3:17-18     Whoever has wealth, sees his brother in need and doesn’t help, how is the love of God in him?

 


NOTES FOR FUTURE SERMONS

 

God’s warning for taking advantage of the poor

Matt 23:14           Woe to scribes and Pharisees because they devoured widows’ homes (Luke 20:47)

Luke 16:19-23     Implied one of reasons rich man in “hell” was because didn’t help poor Lazarus

John 12:4-6          One of Judas’ many problems is that he coveted money and didn’t care for the poor

 

God’s blessing for helping the poor

Jer 7:6-7              If you do not oppress orphan, widow, then I will cause you to dwell in this land I promised

Matt 6:1-4            Don’t do your charitable deeds to be seen of men.  Do in secret, God reward openly

Heb 6:10              God is not unjust to forget our work of love in ministering, helping the saints

 

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

Prov 10:15           A rich man’s wealth is his strength.  The poor man’s poverty is his only curse

Prov 11:25           The generous soul will be made rich, he who waters will also be watered himself

Prov 13:7-8          Some rich people are poor and some poor people have wealth.  Poor don’t worry about being kidnapped for ransom

Prov 13:23           A poor man’s farm may have good soil, but injustice robs him of its riches

Prov 14:20-21      The poor man is despised by his own neighbor, but the rich man has many friends

Prov 14:31           He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors God has mercy on poor

Prov 17:5             He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker

Prov 18:23           Poor man uses entreaties, but the rich man talks roughly

Prov 19:1             Better is the poor man of integrity than one who is a liar or a fool

Prov 19:4, 7         Wealth makes many friends, the poor is separated from his friends

Prov 19:17           He who pity on the poor lends to the Lord and He will repay

Prov 19:22           A poor kind man is better than a liar

Prov 20:13           Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty

Prov 21:13, 26     Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard

Prov 22:2             The rich and poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all

Prov 22:7             The rich rules over the poor, the borrower is servant to the lender

Prov 22:9             He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor

Prov 22:16           He who oppresses the poor to get rich will come to poverty

Prov 23:21           The drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, lazy be clothed in rags

Prov 25:21-22      If enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, the Lord will reward you

Prov 28:3             A poor man who oppresses the poor is like rain that leaves no food

Prov 28:6             Better is the honest poor man then the rich perverse man

Prov 28:8             If get rich by extortion and charging interest, will lose wealth to him who pities the poor

Prov 28:11           (LB) Rich men are conceited, but their real poverty is evident to the poor.

Prov 28:15           Like a roaring lion is the wicked ruler over poor people

Prov 28:19           He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who parties will have poverty

Prov 28:27           He who gives to the poor will not lack.  He who hides his eyes will have many curses

Prov 29:7             The righteous considers the cause of the poor, but wicked don’t understand such things

Prov 29:13           The rich and poor alike depend on God for light

Prov 29:14           The king who judges the poor with truth, his throne will be established forever

Prov 30:14           There is a generation that devours the poor and needy

Prov 31:9             Plead the cause of the poor and needy

Prov 31:20           The good wife extends her hand to the poor.  She reaches out her hands to the needy.

Ecc 4:6                 Better a handful with satisfaction, than to be rich with emptiness in striving for more riches

Ecc 4:13               Better a poor wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more

Ecc 5:8-9             Don’t be surprised at poor being oppressed by rich.  This miscarriage of justice is by officials who report to superiors.  So the matter is lost in red tape and bureaucracy

Ecc 6:8                 (LB) Both wise men and fools strive to get enough food to eat, yet the poor man who is wise lives a far better life

Ecc 9:15-16         A poor wise man delivered a city, yet no one remembered.  A poor man’s wisdom is despised

Ecc 11:1-2           Cast your bread upon the water, for you will find it after many day

 

Remember the Levite

Deut 12:19           Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land

Deut 14:27-29      Don’t forsake the Levite, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.  Every third year.

 

Discussion in Job

Job 22:6-11         Job accused of not helping poor and that that was why he was cursed

Job 24:4-12         Job complains that God is dealing out justice; poor are taken advantage of

Job 29:11-16       Jobs says he helped and guarded the poor – that was not his sin

Job 30:25             Jobs says he wept and was grieved for the needy

Job 31:15-22       Job did not turn away from helping the poor

 

Stories of the Poor -- helped

Ruth 2                  Ruth and Naomi

1 Kin 17:12-24    Poor widow of Zarephath who cared for Elijah by making bread for him first

2 Kin 4:1-7          Poor widow of the “sons of the prophets” school where Elisha increase oil for her to sell

Neh 5:1-13          Rich were taking advantage of poor and charging them usury.  Nehemiah put a stop to it

Jer 39:10              Nebuazradam left in the land of Judah the poor people, who had nothing, to care for the land

John 9:8               Jesus heals beggar born blind

Acts 3:2               Peter and John heal beggar born lame

 

Examples of caring for the poor

Luke 19:8             Zacchaeus said he’d give half of his goods to the poor

Acts 2:44-45        Doesn’t say for poor, but those who had “need’.  Special time?

Acts 4:32-37        Ditto

Acts 6:1-3            Greeks complain because their widows neglected.  Deacons duty to distribute fairly

Acts 9:36             Dorcas was full of good works and charitable deeds

Acts 10:2-4          Cornelius, first Gentile convert, gave alms generously to the people

Acts 11:29-30      Christian disciples determined to send relief to their brethren in Judea

Rom 15:15-28      Paul going to take contributions for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem

1 Cor 16:1-4        Save up every week according as God has blessed you to help saints in Jerusalem

2 Cor 8:1-15        Christians in Macedonia, though had trials and poverty of their own, gave generously to Judah

2 Tim 1:16-18      Paul asked for a blessing on Onesiphorus for helping him when he was in need

 

God’s care for the poor

Deut 10:18           God administers justice for the fatherless, widow, stranger, giving them food and clothing

Psa 68:5               God is a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows

Psa 68:10             You, O God have provided from Your goodness for the poor

Psa 69:33             God hears the poor, He does not despise His prisoners

Psa 72:2-4           God will judge the poor with justice.  He will save the children of the needy.

Psa 72:12-14       God will deliver the needy when he cries.  Also the poor who has no helper

Psa 74:21             Let the poor and needy praise Your name

Psa 102:7             God will regard the prayer of the destitute

Psa 107:9             God satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness

Psa 107:36           God gives the hungry a dwelling place that they may establish a city

Psa 107:41           God sets the poor on high, far from affliction, He makes their families like a flock

Psa 109:31           God will stand at the right hand of the poor to save him from those who condemn him

Psa 113:7-8         God raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap

Psa 132:15           God will satisfy Zion’s poor with bread

Psa 140:12           God will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor

Psa 146:5-7         Hope in God who executes justice for the oppressed, gives good to the hungry

Psa 146:9             God watches over the strangers, He relieves the fatherless and widow

Prov 15:25           God will destroy the house of the proud, but establish the boundary of the widow

Prov 22:22-23      Don’t rob poor because he is poor, for the Lord will plead their cause, plunder the plunderer

Isa 11:4                Jesus with righteousness will judge the poor, decide with equity for the meek

Isa 40:30-32        God will shepherd the poor of HIS people, they will graze in His pasture while Philistines go hungry

Isa 25:4                God is strength to the poor, needy in distress, a refuge from the storm and heat

Isa 29:19              Humble will increase in joy in God.  The poor shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel

Isa 41:17              The poor and needy seek water, there is none, but God will hear and not forsake them

Jer 20:13              Sing praise to the Lord! For He has delivered the life of the poor from evildoers

Jer 49:11              I will preserve the fatherless, let your widows trust in Me

Matt 11:5             Jesus healed, raised the dead and the poor have the gospel preached to them

Luke 7:22             ditto.  Notice doesn’t say rich have gospel preached to them.

Luke 4:18             Quote from combining several scriptures in Isaiah

 

 

 

Matt 26:11           There will always be the poor, but Jesus not always to be present on this earth

Mark 14:7            Ditto

2 Cor 6:10           We suffer as Christians, poor yet making many rich, having nothing yet possessing all things

James 1:10-11      (LB) Rich man should be glad his riches mean nothing to the Lord, for they will soon be gone

 

Other Principles (not just help, but attitude toward)

Psa 34:10             Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing

                            What is our definition of poor?  All we really need is food, clothing and shelter!

Matt 6:25, 33       If we are poor, should not worry about life, what eat or drink

Matt 6:11             Give us our daily bread

John 6:27             Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life

John 7:24             Not to judge according to appearance

James                   You sin with undo attention for the rich and ignoring the poor

                            Shouldn’t be poor because refuse to work

Paul                      Work with hands, don’t be a busy-body

 

 

Spiritual

Matt 5:3               Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Luke 6:20             ditto

Isa 66:2                God has made all things.  But on this one will I look, he who is poor and of a contrite spirit

Zeph 3:11-12       God will remove the proud from Israel.  All who are left will be the meek and humble

Zeph 11:6-12       God will abandon the poor flock to their worthless leaders

2 Cor 8:7-9          Jesus, though rich, for our sakes He became poor that we might become rich

 

Summary

Prov 15:16; 16:18        Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures with trouble

Prov 30_8-9        Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with the food allotted to me

1 Cor 13:3           Even if give everything to feed the poor, and have not love, it profits me nothing

                            Do unto others as would have them do unto you.  Principle of love.

Acts 20:35           Must support the weak.  Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive

2 Cor 9:1-15        God loves a cheerful giver.  Give and God will take care of our needs.  Will be a good example to others.

Matt 6:1-4            Not to do charitable deeds to be seen of men, but are to do them, and God will reward