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