Make Poverty History - 16 May 2011 |
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Some sketchy notes on what the Bible says about helping the poor:
Ex 22:25-27 Don’t charge interest on a loan to a poor person among God’s people
Ex 23:11 Every 7th year leave the land fallow, and leave the vineyards and olive orchards unharvested, so that the poor may eat
Lev 19:9-10; 23:22; Dt 24:19-21 Don’t harvest right to the edge of the field, and don’t gather the gleanings, and don’t return to collect a forgotten sheaf, and don’t beat the olive trees twice, and don’t strip the vineyard bare, and don’t gather fallen grapes. Leave all that stuff for the poor. This means they’ll have to work for it, but at the same time they’ll survive.
Lev 25:35-37 If a brother becomes poor, let him live with you (like a stranger or a sojourner). Don’t make a profit from charging him for food and don’t charge interest on loans to him.
Dt 14:29 Invite the poor to share in the triennial tithe-feast.
Dt 15:1-11 Remit loans made to poor people every 7 years, and don’t hold back just because the 7th year is near.
Dt 23:25 You may pluck ears of corn from your neighbours field, but you may not use a sickle. Low-level, short-term relief.
Ps 41:1-2; 112:9; Pr 14:21; 19:17; 22:9; 28:27 God blesses, lifts up, repays and cares for the one who in turn cares for the poor.
Pr 14:31; 17:5 Those who care for the poor honour God; those who mock the poor insult God.
Pr 21:13 Those who ignore the poor will themselves be ignored
Pr 22:16 God will impoverish those who oppress the poor
Pr 31:20 The excellent wife opens he hand to the poor and needy
Mt 5:2-4 When you give to the poor, do so discretely.
Mt 25:34-40 When we feed the hungry and welcome the stranger and clothe the naked and visit the sick and go to the prisoners among the people of God, we’re doing those things to Jesus himself.
Lk 14:13-14 Invite to feast with you those who cannot repay, and you will be rewarded at the resurrection.
Lk 19:8-9 Zachaeus repaid four times what he had defrauded (in obedience to Lev 6:5; Nu 5:7; Ex 22:1; 2 Sam 12:6), in addition to half his possessions, and thereby proved his repentance.
Acts 4:32-37 Extraordinary generosity among the disciples in the context of economic hardship in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 6:1; Romans 15:26).
Rom 15:26 Macedonian and Achaian believers delighted to give to the poor among the church in Jerusalem.
1 Cor16:2 Giving through the church, in order to give to others further afield. Gift taken by Paul, thus establishing and ensuring ongoing relationship between donors and beneficiaries.
2 Cor 8-9 Voluntary, proportionate, generous, cheerful giving through the church to poor believers elsewhere.
2 Cor 8:10 Giving benefits the giver.
Gal 6:10 The priority of poor believers, as opposed to the poor elsewhere.
Eph 4:28; Titus 3:14 Work hard so that you can give to those in need.
1 Thess 4:11-12 Aspire to provide for yourself.
James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17 If you don’t help your brother or sister in need, your faith is dead and the love of God isn’t in you.
1 Tim 5:3-16 Long-term support (i.e. the widows’ list) is only for godly, prayerful widows over 60 years of age who’ve had only one husband and have a long-term record of godliness and no other relatives to provide for them.
1 Tim 5:8 If you don’t provide for your relatives, and especially your own household, you’ve denied the gospel.
(With thanks to David Field.)
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog