The Poor

[Jeffrey]

Sheep and Goats. Scores of rebukes in the OT. Jerusalem collection.

A plethora of examples exist in the Bible for God's emphasis on the church taking care of the poor.

Is it implied that the poor (for example, Israel), is their own poor?
And what about the New Testament. Are they caring for the poor in their city, or those who are saved and are poor?

The Jerusalem collection is for poor believers in Jerusalem.

Just thinking tonight. My church believes strongly in being involved in the community, helping the poor, etc and doing all of this without any expectation of them coming to church. Just doing it because of a love for humanity.

But what do you think the intentions are for the service to the poor (according to scripture)?

[RandyWayne]

Thar ARE no more perrrrrrrrrr in this nation!

NOT... while the GREAT.... OOOOOOO BammmmmmaaaAAAAA.... is IN charge!

<fist bump>

[Aquila]

I believe there is a biblical mandate for the church caring for the poor. Perhaps if the church did this so many wouldn't need food stamps.

Many churches in my town have food pantries and give bags of groceries to the poor at certain times a month. I don't know of any Apostolic churches that do, but I sincerely pray they get a vision for this. I know these churches have a GOOD NAME in the community and it's a wonderful witness... perhaps even more powerful than tracts or street preaching.

One church in particular has a program some like and some don't. You see, if you want groceries all they ask is that you attend their church service that day. So on that day the church is absolutely packed with people hearing the pastor's sermon. Nothing more is asked accept that they fill out a visitor card specifying the reason they came so they can track how many people are coming for groceries. The pastor's sermon is typically inspirational and uplifting because so many who came that day are burdened by the burdens of poverty. The pastor believes it would be a crime to give them food to feed their bodies but nothing to feed their souls. Most of the people who go seem to love it. Many look forward to it, after all, it's most likely the only church some of them get. After service they are dismissed and those needing food are invited to form a line in front of the pantry door. Here they are given several bags of groceries for absolutely nothing.

The only people I know who don't like the program are those who haven't gone. I think they fear a hell fire and brimstone sermon or a pushy sermon on becoming a member. It's not like that. Really, it's very inspiring. They also give out a small Christian magazine and Daily Breads which serve as daily devotionals for those who came.

I like the program. Imagine a Pentecostal church doing this. Many might be moved to get the Holy Ghost. Sure, some will mock... but that's nothing new to Pentecost.

[Aquila]

Hey guys, if you feel God knocking on your heart about ministering to the poor, please check out this link which describes how to conduct a canned food drive...

http://www.thefoodbankdayton.org/org...food_drive.php

[misspresley]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Hey guys, if you feel God knocking on your heart about ministering to the poor, please check out this link which describes how to conduct a canned food drive...

http://www.thefoodbankdayton.org/org...food_drive.php

Have to tell you what happened just this morning - stopped in local store to buy candy - didn't have what I was looking for so I walked out, glanced to the right and saw a box with a small sign asking for food bank donations. I walked out the door, almost to my car, thinking about that small box not filled!! It was like God said to me, "You should be ashamed for walking right by, and not putting one item in." So I did an about face, purchased three food items for kids, and let the cashier put them in the box. God has done so much for me that something like this is the VERY LEAST I could do.

[Aquila]

Here's a valuable link...

http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx?show_shov=1/

[Aquila]

Clothing closets are another wonderful ministry to the poor...

http://www.springwellofhope.org/outr...hescloset.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4560631_star...ng-closet.html

[Sam]

You Have Done It Unto Me”

I was hungry
And you formed a club
And discussed my hunger.
Thank you.

I was imprisoned
And you crept off quietly
To pray for my release.

I was naked,
And in your mind
You debated the morality
Of my appearance.

I was sick
And you thanked God
For your health.

I was homeless
And you preached to me
Of the spiritual shelter
Of God’s love.

You seem so holy:
So close to God,
But I’m still very
Hungry, and lonely and cold.

Author unknown.


Of course, I thought about these words that Jesus spoke so many years ago:

31-33"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

....I was hungry and you fed me,
....I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
....I was homeless and you gave me a room,
....I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
....I was sick and you stopped to visit,
....I was in prison and you came to me.'

37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:31-40 from The Message

[Sam]

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

I have this note in the margin of my Bible near this verse:

If you help a poor person in the name of the Lord, you are making a gift and at the same time granting a loan. You are making a gift because you have no expectation of being reimbursed by that poor person. You are granting a loan because the Lord will settle the account.
St. Basil the Great (329-379 AD)

[OneAccord]

I heard a saying once that went something like this "Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and you'll feed him for a lifetime." I do believe the church should be actively involved in helping the poor. But, feeding the poor isn't always the same as helping the poor. Sometimes "feeding the poor" can be detrimental in that, sometimes, this lead the poor to become incrasingly dependent on others. The question the church should be asking, and the question they should be seeking answers to is "Why are the poor, poor? ". The causes are many alcoholism, drug addiction, prior criminal convictions, poor education. The list goes on and on. So, the next question is "What can be done to lift of the poor out of his or her financial problem?". Does feeding the poor do any thing but fill a hungry belly and lead the poor to become more dependent on hand outs? Or should the church develop resources that will guide the poor to a better life. Job Training/Placement. Adult Education. Alcohol/drug treatment. What church has the financial resources to undertake such tasks? Well, most don't, but they can collect and assimilate information about groups and agencies that do have the resources.

Yes. Feed the hungry. Clothe the destitute. But, also find ways to "teach a man to fish". The Good Samaritan didn't just bind up the wounds of the victim on the side of the road. He went out of his way, he dug deep into his own pockets to see to the mans welfare. He involved himself totally in the mans recovery. Should we, the Church of the Living God, do any less than this Samaritan?