Christians and the Poor

Christians and the Poor
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.
There are approximately 2000 scriptures in the Bible commanding us to look after the poor.
As Christians we are called to help the sick and poor in what ever way we can.
There is an interesting concept from Judaism that Christians should latch on to. Its called Tzedakah
The following is as good an explanation of Tzedakah, from a Jewish website,
“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 the 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 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 required to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes...
Those who are dependent on public assistance or living on the edge of subsistence may give less but must still give to the extent they are able; however, no person should give so much that he would become a public burden...
The obligation to perform tzedakah can be fulfilled by giving money to the poor, to health care institutions, to Synagogues or educational institutions. It can also be fulfilled by supporting your children beyond the age when you are legally required to, or supporting your parents in their old age. The obligation includes giving both to Jews and gentiles; contrary to popular belief, Jew do not just care for our own. Quite the contrary a study of reported in the Jewish journal indicated that Jewish ‘mega-donors’ (who give more than $10 million a year to charity found that only 6% if their mega-dollars went to specifically Jewish causes.
Judaism acknowledges that many people who ask for charity have no genuine need. In fact, the Talmud suggest that this is a good thing: if all people who asked for charity have no were in genuine Need we would be subjected to punishment for G-d for refusing anyone who asked. The existence of frauds diminishes our liability for failing to give to all who ask. Because we have some legitimate basis for doubting a beggar’s sincerity. It is permissible to investigate the legitimacy of charity before donating to it.
We have an obligation to avoid becoming in need of Tzedakah. A person should take any work available, even if he thinks it is beneath his dignity to avoid become a public charge.
However, if a person is truly in need and has no way of obtaining money on his own he should not feel embarrassed to accept tzedakah.
  Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and 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, but 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 the above is something we should consider. It is perfectly in line with Christian belief. After all Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40
Please think about it.

Your Words and Deeds

Your Words and Deeds
The Apostle Peter writes,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

When people see your actions what are they seeing?
Are they seeing someone who loves God, their neighbour and even their enemy.
Are they seeing someone who shows the love of God to all those around them?
Jesus said,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 

                                                  Matthew 7:12.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you treating others the way you would like to be treated?
As followers of Christ we must be aware that people are watching us.
We need to as the apostle Peter said,
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12.
Always remember that other people see Jesus through the words and deeds of those who claim to be His followers.
Thus if you claim to be a follower of Christ it is through your words and deeds that people will see Christ.
Your words and deeds may very well bring a person to Christ or push them away from Christ.
So the question becomes. What are your words and deeds telling those around you about Christ?
Please think about it. 

Are You

You are
The apostle Peter states,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1Peter 2:9,10.
Peter here tells us that believers in Christ Jesus are a “royal priesthood” a “holy nation” belonging to God.
This is a great honour, one we as believers in Christ should not take lightly. We must remember as a royal priesthood, we are God’s servant and must represent him in an honourable way. In the best light possible.
The apostle Paul tells us,

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

                                                                                    1Corinthians 4:1,2. 

Notice Paul states we are “stewards of the mysteries of God.”
A steward while having nothing of his own was entrusted by his master to administer his affairs in the best possible way.  That is what God expects of all believers in Christ Jesus.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.
Thus the question becomes, if you consider yourself a follower of Christ Jesus, are you presenting the word of God in the best way you know how to?
Please think about it.

Judging

Judging
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
Someone once said,

“I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world.

Than stand with the world and be judged by God.”

To which someone else replied,

"But make sure while you are standing with God,

you, are not judging the world.”

The apostle Paul wrote,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 

Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. 

“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 

                                                        1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

As believers in Christ Jesus we are not to judge the world. That is God’s job. Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and 

my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

Another American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo.

As believers in Christ Jesus we have no right to judge those outside the church.
Even when we look inside the church the only reason I see for us to judge anyone is to tell whether or not they are preaching the truth about Jesus. Whether or not they are teaching sound doctrine.
We must always remember as believers in Christ Jesus we are to love the world not judge it.
Please think about it.

Do people see Christ in you?

Do people see Christ in you?
John’s gospel records this prayer of Jesus,
“My prayer is not for them alone. (Christ’s Apostles) I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20,21.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus here’s something to consider. Jesus prayed for you. Look at the scripture above Jesus is quoted as saying,
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one,... ”
Jesus when he prayed was looking to the future. To all those who would believe in him through the words of the apostles. He prayed that all believers would be one. That, is you if you are a believer in Christ Jesus.
Jesus gives a reason for his prayer saying,
“...Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” 
Question does the world around you see Christ Jesus in you?
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                        Francis of Assisi.

We as followers in Christ Jesus, should be preaching the Good news of Christ Jesus, at all times, in word and deed. The quote Francis again,

“Preach the Gospel at all times, 

and when necessary, use words.” 

                                          Francis of Assisi.

Are you preaching the gospel of Christ at all times?
Do people know you are a follower of Christ Jesus without you telling them or preaching a sermon?
If you are a follower of Christ Jesus people should know you are his follower without you saying a word.
Your life should at all times exhibit what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the spirit. Paul writing,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, joy, peace, 

patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness 

and 

self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.” 

                                              Galatians 5:22,23.

Are these fruits evident in your life?
Please think about it.

Two Point Five Percent (2.5%)?

Two point five percent (2.5%)?
The book of acts speaking of the early church states,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?
Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

       Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

        Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.

Association

Association
Who do you associate with?
John’s gospel tells us about this incident in the life of Jesus,
“Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ) John 4:6-9.
Here we see Jesus ask a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. Something not done. Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Jesus however chose to do so.
Jesus never let convention of the day deter him from speaking to anyone. Mark’s gospel tells of the time Jesus sat with tax collectors. People considered sinners. Someone “good people” would not associate with. Mark records,
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16,17.
Jesus speaking to His disciple and through them to all who believe in Him, said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus never put restrictions on who could hear the Gospel. He told all who would believe in Him to go and make disciples of all nations.
Question, If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Do you put restrictions on whom you tell about Jesus?
Do you put limitations on who you will associate with? Jesus never did nor should we.
Please think about it.

Choose

Choose
The book of Joshua tells of Joshua giving the Israelites a choice. It states,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15
This is the same choice we have today.
In our twenty-first century world we have many gods whether we admit it our not. Everything from money, to our job, to what we own, or want to own can become our gods. It just depends on the emphasis we place on these things. After all having wealth, having your dream job, owning or wanting to own a home and nice things is not sinful. They only become sinful if they pull you away from God or cause you to do negative things to those around you.
Jesus warned
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.  
Where our true treasure, is where our heart lies.
Matthew’s gospel records this,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.
This young man believed there was a God BUT he put his trust in his wealth not in God. He lacked the faith to give up all he had in this world and trust exclusively in God to provide for him.
Thus my question to you the reader is, if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you willing if asked by God, to give up all you own and rely entirely on God to provide for you?
Is you treasure in Heaven or on Earth?
Please think about it.

Faith in God

Faith in God
The writer of Hebrews states,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him

 must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                              Hebrews 11:6.

Do you believe in God? Is God central in your life?
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
When I look at the world around me. I see a natural world that is perfect. A world designed by God so that we can exist. A world that by simply looking at it we can see the hand of God.
As I look at mankind I see the same thing. Individuals know instinctively what is right and wrong. It seems to be ingrained into our DNA. Something that can to my mind only be there by design.
One only has to look at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) to see God’s hand.
It is a moral code unmatched by anything man has come up with.
The first five commandments tells us how to relate to God. The last five how to relate to our fellow man.
These commandments are the basis for a free and orderly society. Take away any of them and society suffers.
Take God out of society and society suffers. We only have to look at Nazi Germany and any other atheistic government that has ever ruled to see this.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
It is my belief we as both individuals and as a society need to draw near to God. For if we do not, and turn away from God instead, society as we know it will ultimately suffer.
Please think about it.

You and God

You & God

In the book of Proverbs we read,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight. 

                                                   Proverbs 3:5,6.

Faith in God, for some, perhaps even for most people, is something that is difficult to have. Especially in something unseen. Yet God requires his followers to have faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and 

certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                 Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                        Hebrews 11:6

Martin Luther King Jr. the American civil rights leader said,

Faith is taking the first step 

even when you don't see the whole staircase.

                                                        Martin Luther King, Jr.

God essentially asks each individual to take that first step even though they can’t see the whole stair case.
Have you taken that first step of faith with regards to believing in God?
The apostle Paul tells us,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  

not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

                                                       Ephesians 2:8,9.

Put simply we get to heaven by putting our faith in the Grace of God.
Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul states,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
What Christianity asks the individual to believe by faith is expressed in what is called the Apostles Creed. While it was not written by an apostle of Jesus. It does express the core beliefs of Christianity. It reads,

I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; 

That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost

I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

 I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

I believe in the resurrection of the body.

I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?
Please think about it. 

Shepherd

 Shepherd

The Psalmist writes,

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” 

                                                                      Psalm 23.

Is the Lord your shepherd?
Do you trust God in the dark times of your life?
Do you honour God when your life is good?
Is it only when you are in trouble that you turn to God?
Do you praise God for the good times you have?
Psalm twenty-three is a psalm of trust in God.
In the ancient world the word Shepherd was quite often used to denote kingship. So what the Psalmist is saying here is the God is the sovereign of his life.  That he trusts God to be with him in the good times and the bad times.
That by trusting God he will dwell in Gods house forever.
So I ask the question, is God truly sovereign in your life?
Can you honestly say that you trust God no matter the circumstances?
Can you say that you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever?
Please think about it.

A Parental Imperative

A Parents Imperative
The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Train a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not turn from it.” 

                                                 Proverbs 22:6

As believers in Christ Jesus it is imperative that we teach our children not only about the arts, about literature, the sciences and such. We must also teach them about our faith and our values.
    As good as knowing all the world has to offer with respect to education, if there is no positive value system behind that, knowledge can and quite often will be use for evil.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” C. S. Lewis.
In Deuteronomy we read a portion of scripture that I believe Jews refer to as, Shema Israel. It reads,
“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk to them when you sit in hour house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up
     You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
Jesus in the gospel of Mark is quotes this when asked,
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”  Mark 12: 28-30
Jesus goes on to say,
"The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to teach our Children this, in word, and in deed. For in doing so we will put them on not only a good moral road in this world, but on the path that leads to eternal life with God in heaven.
Please think about it.