God’s welfare plan
“ ‘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 alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19: 9,10.
From the earliest of days God wanted man to watch out and help his fellow man. We are called to love our fellow man that means if necessary helping him out.
The Talmud tells this story,
“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
The Apostle James wrote,
“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.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
I have heard politicians, evangelist, and pastors over the years say “work hard and you’ll get ahead.”
Sadly I know many people who have worked hard. Men and women who have one two even three jobs and still find it hard to make ends meet.
The simple fact of the matter is, sometimes for whatever reason no matter how hard you work things don’t work out. It has nothing to do with how hard you work or your lack of faith.
The book of acts records,
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”
Acts 2:44,45.
The early church thought about their fellow believers and did what they had to, to ensure all the needs of believers were met.
This is what it is to be Christian.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo.
Think about it
Showing posts with label God's welfare plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's welfare plan. Show all posts
Thursday 14 May 2015
Thursday 12 February 2015
God has a welfare plan
God has a welfare plan
“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.”
Exodus 23:10,11
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10.
In my years as a Christian here in North America I’ve heard a lot said against the poor by everyone from the person on the street, to politicians, to evangelical preachers.
There was and still is in some quarters the idea that the poor are somehow lazy and need to get a job.
The reality is there are many poor people who are working at two even three jobs. Families where both spouses are working and still there are more bills than money at the end of the week.
It has always amazed me that governments can give tax cuts to the rich that take millions out of the government coffers, yet they can’t put millions into giving the poor a legitimate hand up.
What is wrong with making the minimum wage a wage that ensures families will have enough to eat, clothing and a roof over their heads?
Yes I know it will cause those companies who pay their employees minimum wage to earn less profit. Still just because such companies are earning less profit doesn’t mean the owners and share holders of such companies are forced to skip meals so their children can eat.
Why should employees of any company that is making a profit have to go to food banks to try and make it through the month?
I think we as Christians need to do all we can to help the poor.
The verses I quoted above shows God is concerned about the poor. He admonishes land owners to not pick clean their farm fields so that the poor may have something to eat.
Sadly in our modern cities there is no farm fields to leave food in. That’s why it is important for we as Christians to help those in need.
Tony Campolo said,
“Those issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
There are over 2000 verses in the scriptures that call us to meet the needs of the poor. God truly cares for the individual and we as Christians should too.
The Jews have a practice called Tzedakah. I think it would be good for Christians to follow such practice. A Jewish website explained the concept this way,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedaka is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance ot tzedakah in Jewish thought.
According to Jewish law, we are requiered to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes."
The Talmud suggests different levels of Tzedaka and one Jewish scholar place the levels in order of least meritorious to most meritorious,
The Apostle James writes,
“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.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Think about it.
“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.”
Exodus 23:10,11
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10.
In my years as a Christian here in North America I’ve heard a lot said against the poor by everyone from the person on the street, to politicians, to evangelical preachers.
There was and still is in some quarters the idea that the poor are somehow lazy and need to get a job.
The reality is there are many poor people who are working at two even three jobs. Families where both spouses are working and still there are more bills than money at the end of the week.
It has always amazed me that governments can give tax cuts to the rich that take millions out of the government coffers, yet they can’t put millions into giving the poor a legitimate hand up.
What is wrong with making the minimum wage a wage that ensures families will have enough to eat, clothing and a roof over their heads?
Yes I know it will cause those companies who pay their employees minimum wage to earn less profit. Still just because such companies are earning less profit doesn’t mean the owners and share holders of such companies are forced to skip meals so their children can eat.
Why should employees of any company that is making a profit have to go to food banks to try and make it through the month?
I think we as Christians need to do all we can to help the poor.
The verses I quoted above shows God is concerned about the poor. He admonishes land owners to not pick clean their farm fields so that the poor may have something to eat.
Sadly in our modern cities there is no farm fields to leave food in. That’s why it is important for we as Christians to help those in need.
Tony Campolo said,
“Those issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
There are over 2000 verses in the scriptures that call us to meet the needs of the poor. God truly cares for the individual and we as Christians should too.
The Jews have a practice called Tzedakah. I think it would be good for Christians to follow such practice. A Jewish website explained the concept this way,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedaka is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance ot tzedakah in Jewish thought.
According to Jewish law, we are requiered to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes."
The Talmud suggests different levels of Tzedaka and one Jewish scholar place the levels in order of least meritorious to most meritorious,
“Giving begrudgingly
Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours
Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.
Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.”
As Christians we need to be thinking how we look on the poor. We need to help the poor.The Apostle James writes,
“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.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Think about it.
Friday 7 November 2014
Ideals to consider
God’s Welfare Plan
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10
“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.”
Exodus 23:10,11.
“‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.
You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.”
Leviticus 25:35-37
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD'S time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”
Deuteronomy 15:1,2.
Can you imagine modern financial institutions, governments or even individuals doing the above.
When it comes to money in particular instead of cancelling a debt when someone can’t pay financial institutions put up the interest rate making it even harder for the individual to pay.
Deuteronomy reminds us,
“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.”
Deuteronomy 15:11.
Christians I know are among the most generous in the world when it comes to giving to the needy. Still do we as individual Christians live up to the ideals listed in the above scriptures?
To the Christian businessman I would ask do you forgive debts without making a fuss about it?
I know in my line of business I get written the occasional bad cheque. I’ve been fortunate only once was it deliberate. Most of the time it’s in error. But there have been times when the person has thought they could afford me a couple told me before the event another after the event but offered to pay me later.
I simply said it was on the house. They didn’t owe me anything I could tell it wasn’t deliberate and they probably needed the money more than me.
My son I found approaches things the same way. He owns several houses and two tenants that I know about left him without paying rent. One even damaged the house. When I asked him if he was going after them for the money he said no. “that God understood where those people were at. It wasn’t his place to case after them. Instead he fixed the damage and even without advertizing the house, people asked him if they could rent it. It was a blessing from God.
My son and I are no different. I know of Christian businessmen over the years that have done the same. That have forgiven debts not really looking for a blessing but have received one anyway.
God cares for the individual and he wants us to do the same.
The Talmud tells this story,
“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.
The Jews have a word for giving to the poor, Tzedakah
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.
However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply an act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
One source told me there are various levels of Tzedakah
Something for we Christians to think about.
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10
“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.”
Exodus 23:10,11.
“‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.
You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.”
Leviticus 25:35-37
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD'S time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”
Deuteronomy 15:1,2.
Can you imagine modern financial institutions, governments or even individuals doing the above.
When it comes to money in particular instead of cancelling a debt when someone can’t pay financial institutions put up the interest rate making it even harder for the individual to pay.
Deuteronomy reminds us,
“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.”
Deuteronomy 15:11.
Christians I know are among the most generous in the world when it comes to giving to the needy. Still do we as individual Christians live up to the ideals listed in the above scriptures?
To the Christian businessman I would ask do you forgive debts without making a fuss about it?
I know in my line of business I get written the occasional bad cheque. I’ve been fortunate only once was it deliberate. Most of the time it’s in error. But there have been times when the person has thought they could afford me a couple told me before the event another after the event but offered to pay me later.
I simply said it was on the house. They didn’t owe me anything I could tell it wasn’t deliberate and they probably needed the money more than me.
My son I found approaches things the same way. He owns several houses and two tenants that I know about left him without paying rent. One even damaged the house. When I asked him if he was going after them for the money he said no. “that God understood where those people were at. It wasn’t his place to case after them. Instead he fixed the damage and even without advertizing the house, people asked him if they could rent it. It was a blessing from God.
My son and I are no different. I know of Christian businessmen over the years that have done the same. That have forgiven debts not really looking for a blessing but have received one anyway.
God cares for the individual and he wants us to do the same.
The Talmud tells this story,
“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.
The Jews have a word for giving to the poor, Tzedakah
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.
However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply an act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
One source told me there are various levels of Tzedakah
The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and the Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:
Giving begrudgingly
Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours
Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.
Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.
Something for we Christians to think about.
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