Welcome to this week's posting of the Weekend Sermon. I am glad that you have taken the time to read the sermon this week, and I hope and pray that everyone is doing well.
Last week, we began a new series of messages about what the Bible has to say about the issue of social justice. We covered a few of the verses in the Bible that tell us about God's concern for justice. The Lord cares about what happens to the poor and the oppressed. He cares about what happens to this world that He has made.
Today, I want to go into something a little more specific. I would like to discuss what the Bible says is the individuals duty to the poor. Later in the series, we will discuss what the Bible says the government's responsibility is toward helping the poor. By the way, the Bible does say that the government does have a duty to help the poor.
Starting in the Old Testament, the Bible is quite clear that we are to help those who are poor. In fact, the people were instructed in Deuteronomy 26:12 to bring a tithe to be distributed for the poor every three years. In Leviticus 19:9-10, the Lord provided the following instruction, "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God." With this instruction, the Lord was telling the people that they needed to make sure that the needs of the poor were taken care of. Everyone had the responsibility to make sure that those who were less fortunate had what they needed to survive. We might not have fields to leave behind a portion of the grain, but this verse tells us that we need to contribute to helping the poor in some way.
In the book of Ruth, we see this instruction of the Lord carried out. Boaz first encountered Ruth when she was gathering up some of the harvest that had been left behind for the poor.
Some Christians acknowledge the books of the Apocrypha and some do not. I am going to mention a selection from the Apocrypha that speaks to the issue of giving to the poor. In the book of Tobit, Tobit gives instruction to his son about how he should conduct himself in life. He says in Tobit 4:7 -- "Give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of God will not be turned away from you." Tobit goes on in verse 8 to say, "If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give from the little you have." What Tobit is telling us is that we should give to the poor in proportion to how much money we have. If we are wealthy, we should give more. If we have little and are still able to give, we should give and help out as we are able."
The New Testament has much to say about giving to the poor and helping those who are in need. In Luke 16, we have the story that Jesus told about the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man didn't do anything to help Lazarus. Lazarus was sick, poor and homeless. The rich man didn't even give him a few crumbs even though Lazarus was outside of his gate. The rich man ended up in hell. And Lazarus went to Heaven.
In Matthew 25, the Lord Jesus tells us that when we do good to those who are hungry, naked and poor, we are doing good to Him. He says, "When you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me."
In Act 4:32-35, we are told about how the members of the early church conducted themselves. This passage tells us that they had all things in common. They sold their possessions to help one another out. We are told that there was no needy person among them.
The final verse that I want to give you is from I John 3:17 that really tells us clearly about our obligation as believers in the Lord Jesus. This passage states, "If any one has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"
Now, I just want to wrap this up. The Bible is clear that the Lord expects us to take care of those who are poor, homeless and needy within our church family and within the society at large. When the Lord was establishing the people of Israel in the land, He made sure that the needs of the poor where addressed.
The Bible tells us that we should help those who are poor and in need in proportion to what we have. To whom much is given, much is required.
If we do not help the poor, homeless and needy, we are just like the rich man who did not extend his help to Lazarus. The Bible says that those who do not help those who need help do not have the love of God in their hearts.
There is a great deal of need in this world. There are people who don't have enough to eat, they don't have enough money for proper medical care and they don't have adequate clothing. As believers in Jesus Christ, it is our obligation to help meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ and those who are in the world. When we reach out to others, it is as if we are doing good to the Lord Jesus Himself. Amen
Prayer Requests And Other Matters
I just want to thank the Lord for a very good week in writing. I am enjoying working on writing a lot lately.
This week, I do have a job interview for a part-time job. Please pray that I will know the Lord's will in this matter.
In prayer this week, please remember to pray for those who are recovering from storms and other natural disasters. Pray for those in Japan, the Philippines, the Bahamas and in Texas. Also pray for those dealing with the fires in California.
Let us also be in prayer about the fires in the Amazon. Pray that these fires will be extinguished soon.
This week, I heard a report that there was a possible peace agreement in Yemen. I hope that this is true. I thank the Lord for a chance at peace. Let us keep praying for Yemen. Let us also continue to pray for peace in Syria, Libya, Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Let us pray for refugees wherever they are in this world.
Remember to pray for those in Congo. Pray that the Ebola outbreak will end.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let's pray for Togo and Vietnam. Pray that many will hear about the love of Jesus.
Next week, I will post the sermon on Saturday. On Monday, I will post the verses. On Wednesday I will have a review of a dog book. The schedule for next week is tentative. We are supposed to have two possible snow events. May God bless you all. Amen.
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