What the Bible says about the Poor Podcast Part Two -

Scriptures & a Few Thoughts 

Podcast #4

Matthew 5  38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. …43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 

Matthew TAKE AWAY -  people in need sometimes need help and sometimes need to borrow - don’t turn away from either one - if they ask for one thing give them more than that if they are in need. We are even to go the length of sharing with and helping our enemies.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Timothy TAKE AWAY - if you are rich now you - don’t think it came from  you - give and share because it came from God who is rich towards others- use your money to do good for others ready to give and share. This way you will have reward in heaven. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,

He has given to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Corinthians TAKE Away - Give bountifully as a purpose of the heart…not out of necessity and not with a grudge…God loves a “cheerful” giver. God will make your sufficient in all things. 

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

corollary is 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. (The word “share” is koinonia - to fellowship - our giving to others is a fellowship/sharing with others - since fellowship was a cornerstone of the early church along with teaching, breaking of bread, and prayer - which was practiced in order to edify the Body and prepare them for service!!!!! 

When we do good to all - starting with the household of faith…we are sharing ourselves with others…

Galatians - Take Away - as we have the chance - do good to all - concentrate on those in your own household of faith - your local church - but do good to all!

The Poor as the Bigger Givers:

1. Mark 12:44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.
2. 2 Cor. 8:1-4 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (In 2 Cor. 8:9 Jesus became poor then gave up His life - everything - certainly His livelihood for us.)

Final Notes on Poverty: 

There is no excuse for ignoring the poor’s need = 1 John 3:17

17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

“Rich in faith” poor people are fellow heirs and very valuable in the kingdom of God. James 2:5-7 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

The true test of meeting the need of poverty or any other need…

1 Corinthians 13:3 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

What is love - is the question many are asking - it is giving so we have all the necessities of life and the creature comforts available? No it is a “who” question. The Who question answer is Jesus Christ!!! He is love - He is God and 1 John 4 says God is love. When we give a person, rich or poor a look at Jesus Christ then they have the greatest opportunity we can give - to humble themselves before Him - to receive His free gift of eternal life and to live in relationship with God for the rest of eternity. They can have eternal life - and that life is abundant in the blessing of God - first spiritually and then one day - when that which we have committed to the Lord will be fully rewarded we will never know want or need for all time!!! 

I would leave you with one more verse among the many - to think upon. 

The glorious light of the gospel is the one thing we can do -the only thing we can do that will bring a true answer to the spiritual thirst we are all born with…we must be bearers of that light - one way to proclaim and shine that light is what Jesus said in Matthew 5:16

 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

It seems that God wants us to be seen as bearers of light that point to Him! That draw men to Him.

As though Christ was in us pleading with men - be reconciled to God!

As though we are to be examples of light - so that people will ask a reason for the hope that they see in us! 

NEXT TIME - PUTTING A PRACTICAL FOOT DOWN - ONE IN FRONT OF ANOTHER…