A. Who are the poor?
1. Defining it by governmental terms: who ever makes $$ under
their standard: it’s always unfair
2. Defining it by God’s terms
a. It is the poverty of the human spirit: e.g. the beginning of
the Beatitudes
b. Poverty of material goods
c. Poverty of relationships
B. What kind of a cry is it?
1. Book of Esther: prayer
is not mentioned but God intervened
2. Exodus 3:7 "The LORD
said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them
crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their
suffering."
3. It is doubtful that the
cry was a formal prayer and may not have even been to the right god, but God
heard and was "concerned about their suffering"
4. e.g. Romans 8
C. Why are they crying out?
1. Pain of not being able to meet basic
needs
a. food and clothing
2. Being rejected and ignored
e.g. The Good Samaritan
(passing by on the other side)
3. Caught in a cycle
A. Note the first occurrence of "the poor"
Exodus 23:10 "For six years you are to sow your fields and
harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and
unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild
animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive
grove.
B. The next time this subject is mentioned note what God adds to
it:
Deut. 15: 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The
seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show
ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to
the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to
him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God
will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There
will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be
openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
C. Ministry to the poor was a key element of Jesus’
calling:
Luke 7:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor..."
D. Ministry to the poor was a sign that Jesus was the Messiah to
John the Baptist:
Luke 7:22 "Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and
tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame
walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor
the gospel is preached."
E. Ministry to the poor is a sign of a changed life:
Daniel 4:27 "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable
unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by
showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy
tranquillity."
F. Ministry to the poor is not a cure for poverty in society...
it is a sign that you have the heart of God
1. It is a cure for the
poverty in your own soul
e.g. "then because of this
the LORD your God will bless you..." in all your work and in everything you put
your hand to."
2. It is a way to get the
blessings of God continually
e.g. "then because
of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you
put your hand to."
*** What a powerful promise and blessing!
Do you know what other condition God gives a promise of
blessing in all we do?
a person who keeps His word will by that be
benevolent...
A. Don’t hear the poor and you won’t be heard
1. e.g. Matt. 7: 2 For in
the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you
use, it will be measured to you.
2. we come to God with
poverty of our soul and expect the riches of Heaven in His mercies.
3. 2 Corinthians 8: 9 "For
you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become
rich."
B. God’s principle of freely giving
Matt. 10: 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who
have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Deut. 24:18, 19 "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt...
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back
to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the
LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."
C. A judgment is coming for all regarding how benevolent we were
in our lives:
Matt 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did
we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe
you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will
reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers of mine, you did for me.'