Concerning the poor
In the book of Acts we read,
“He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly" Acts:10:2.
Here in North America we live with freedoms that are the envy of the world. We also live in a very materialistic society. And materialism has infiltrated the church.
There are many evangelist and pastors who have twisted the truths of scripture and made themselves millionaires by praying on the poor. Saying to people that if we truly love God we will be healthy and wealthy. If you give to their ministry giving what they call “seed faith”.
Telling you God will give you a ten or hundred fold return on the money you give, as if God is a cosmic banker.
They say if you aren’t getting wealthy or have bad health then you have sin in your life or lack faith.
Yet the reality is quiet the opposite. There are many who love God who are just making ends meet.
In Lukes Gosple we read
"A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.
You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.''"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:18-22.
I would say from what is said here in Luke, it is those rich pastors and evangelist that should be giving everything up, giving all they have to the poor to follow Christ.
Now I know the Talmud is a Christian book but it reflects Christian values. One quote states,
Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, "Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?" He answered, "God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love." The Talmud.
This statement is true the apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13.
Can you imagine how much better the world would be if multimillionaires and billionaires gave half their wealth to help the poor.
The apostle John writes,
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.
In the book of James we read,
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17.
I firmly believe all who claim to be Christian, all who claim to be true followers of Christ Jesus need to be helping the poor in anyway they can. We need to do it because in this world we are the hands of Christ.
Please think about it.
