A consistant principle, that few talk about in Gods Word, in scripture

[followjesus]

The importance of Giving to the Poor among us.

Moses Law.....


deuteronomy 15 : 7-11 "If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee."


Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."

David.....


Psalm 41:1-2 "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies."


Proverbs of solomon.... ( One of many examples)


proverbs19:17" He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."


The prophet Isaiah.....


Isaiah 58:6-8 "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward."


Jesus the Lord...


Matthew 25:31-40 "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another....... v34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:


For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ..........v40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."


Jesus the Lord....


luke 14:13-14 "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."


Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."


luke 12:31-34 "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (matthew 6:19-21)


the early church .....


acts 2:42-47 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.


And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."


acts4 :32-35 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."


paul.....


1 timothy 6:17-19 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."


ephesians 4:28 "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."


James.....


james 2:14-17 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."


John.....

1 John 3:16-19 "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."



its not a fun message for many to Hear, But the scripture is what it is ......Just Some scripture to consider God Bless, Consider looking for People who need Help with needs that you are well supplied to meet.

"you are the Body of Christ"....His hands on earth, are Ours to reach out and give to those who are praying alone at night for Help....prayers are most often answered through a believer that is willing to obey God. rather than storing up wealth, store up compassion and a willingness to serve God and Not possessions.

 

[p_rehbein]

The Title is a bit confusing............but, if you are saying that the Church is not paying attention to acts of Charity, I suggest you do a "search" of charitable donations/groups in America.........you will discover that the Christian Church in America gives HUGE amounts to the poor, homeless, and needy.

Franklin Graham has one of the best I know of.........check his out.

Now, as for talking about it........that sounds like bragging about our charitable acts, and Scripture tells us not to do that, because if we do, and receive the admiration of the world, we lose our Heavenly Reward. Do our Alms in private, and God will reward us OPENLY. That is how it should be done according to Jesus Christ Himself.

 

[Willie-T]

It is the PRIMARY thing in The Vineyard.

What the Bible never said to do was tax people to create government programs.

 

[hornetguy]

I also think that many times, believers depend on "the church" to give to the needy, without considering WE are the church.

We should all have the same spirit as the Samaritan man, who saw someone in dire need, and he met those needs... without any thought of being repaid.

When we all start doing that as a matter of "reflex action", the world will begin to see that Jesus' teachings really MEAN something..

that is the best evangelism in the world.... SHOW them Jesus, then they will want to hear about him.

 

[MarcR]

If the church you belong to does not teach and actively demonstrate concern for the needy you should probably look for a more obedient fellowship. If the church you belong to makes a public display of its provision for the poor you should probably look for a more obedient fellowship.

 

[posthuman]

It is the PRIMARY thing in The Vineyard.

What the Bible never said to do was tax people to create government programs.

Wasn't the tithe used not only to support Levi, but also regularly for the poor? Deuteronomy 26:12 for example?

 

[posthuman]

Wasn't the tithe used not only to support Levi, but also regularly for the poor? Deuteronomy 26:12 for example?

In fact, isn't Malachai 3:10, that 'bring the whole tithe into the storehouse' verse so often quoted to encourage giving towards evangelistic programs, actually referencing the 3rd year tithe that was specifically a collection of food to support the needy, who themselves because of poverty would not have been contributing, since the tithe was not money, but food, and the poor, widows and orphans had no harvest of their own?

 

[posthuman]

Of course the Law in scripture doesn't set up bureaucracy like we have today, but this establishes a principal of organised support for the needy on a national level out of resources collected from all who had ability, not just the willing, doesn't it?

 

[Willie-T]

Of course the Law in scripture doesn't set up bureaucracy like we have today, but this establishes a principal of organised support for the needy on a national level out of resources collected from all who had ability, not just the willing, doesn't it?

I think it was still the same tenth that they gave every year. Some years it went to repair the Temple roof, perhaps, except that on that third year (or whenever it was), the money went to the poor. We do that today in most churches....... the money sometimes goes to different needs.

 

[hornetguy]

Of course the Law in scripture doesn't set up bureaucracy like we have today, but this establishes a principal of organised support for the needy on a national level out of resources collected from all who had ability, not just the willing, doesn't it?

The tithe also did not go to a secular government, like, Rome for instance. Rome would not have been good stewards with God's tithe....

If we were a homogenized group of people, under a "benevolent dictatorship" of our own people, then the tithe idea would have some merit.

Giving our (God's) money to the secular government to misuse is not really good stewardship... and, yes, I'm aware of "render unto Caesar...." which would seem to indicate we are to pay our taxes and shut up.

 

[followjesus]

The Title is a bit confusing............but, if you are saying that the Church is not paying attention to acts of Charity, I suggest you do a "search" of charitable donations/groups in America.........you will discover that the Christian Church in America gives HUGE amounts to the poor, homeless, and needy.

Franklin Graham has one of the best I know of.........check his out.

Now, as for talking about it........that sounds like bragging about our charitable acts, and Scripture tells us not to do that, because if we do, and receive the admiration of the world, we lose our Heavenly Reward. Do our Alms in private, and God will reward us OPENLY. That is how it should be done according to Jesus Christ Himself.

if you are saying that the Church is not paying attention to acts of Charity, I suggest you do a "search" of charitable donations/groups in America..


Im actually not saying anything about what the church is doing or not doing. Im sharing scripture thats quite apparent that God has always commanded His People to care for the Needy among us.


if you take issue with the Post, its more an issue with scripture. at the end there is Just an encouragement for some who may not be considering the Needy and poor around us everywhere, to consider what God says about it. since its a Bible discussion forum and all.

did i say we should announce our good works to everyone ? lol your right we should do things in secret, and the scriptures Kind of say what your saying there about being rewarded. im not sure really what your comment is. The fact is, that God has been clear to His people to care for the Poor among us. thats pretty simply what this post was sharing scriptures that not many discuss, or want to Hear.


Greed is idolatry and an evil, generousity to the needy is of God. thats the Point of the op. scripture says what it says.

 

[followjesus]

It is the PRIMARY thing in The Vineyard.

What the Bible never said to do was tax people to create government programs.

Naw He didnt willie. what He did do is command Believers to Go take care of each other, financially, emotionally, spiritually, and in any other way were able to do that. Governments waste more money on things that are opposed to God than Helping the needs of the poor.

also, we can only give what We are able to Give. many would read " sell your possessions and give to the poor" and teach that literally so then people would go sell all they own and give to the poor and then they would be homeless and poor themselves. thats Not what is being said. simply if we have More than we need, not more than we want, but more than we need, christians should be meeting the needs of brothers and sisters who do not Have enough.

God has Been concerned with the Poor being supplied since the start and remember lazarus the Beggar and the Rich man. and How that ended up.


if Our possessions are more important than Our fellow mans needs, repentance is needed.

 

[followjesus]

I also think that many times, believers depend on "the church" to give to the needy, without considering WE are the church.

We should all have the same spirit as the Samaritan man, who saw someone in dire need, and he met those needs... without any thought of being repaid.

When we all start doing that as a matter of "reflex action", the world will begin to see that Jesus' teachings really MEAN something..

that is the best evangelism in the world.... SHOW them Jesus, then they will want to hear about him.

what a great and true Post thanks for taking the Time to ad that great value I hope some people really consider what you Just said there. God Bless.

 

[followjesus]

I think it was still the same tenth that they gave every year. Some years it went to repair the Temple roof, perhaps, except that on that third year (or whenever it was), the money went to the poor. We do that today in most churches....... the money sometimes goes to different needs.

deuteronomy 26:12 "When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

 

[followjesus]

In fact, isn't Malachai 3:10, that 'bring the whole tithe into the storehouse' verse so often quoted to encourage giving towards evangelistic programs, actually referencing the 3rd year tithe that was specifically a collection of food to support the needy, who themselves because of poverty would not have been contributing, since the tithe was not money, but food, and the poor, widows and orphans had no harvest of their own?

i think it translates for us into not Just Money, or things people need. there are also those who are poor in Hope, spirit, comfort, there are so many different ways we can Help the needs of others. Money now days Has such a place in society, that most things cost money now. but a poor man Himself regarding Money, May Have riches to share in many other areas. and needs are in many areas all around us. even things Like the neighbor kid whos dad isnt around, we can do things Like invite Him along when we take our Kids to do things. a thousand ways to Help brothers and sisters and we should be willing, not only because of the scriptures and rewards and things But it also Helps us immensly to Get our minds and Hearts off of Our issues and onto others.

 

[followjesus]

If the church you belong to does not teach and actively demonstrate concern for the needy you should probably look for a more obedient fellowship. If the church you belong to makes a public display of its provision for the poor you should probably look for a more obedient fellowship.

or maybe Look to ourselves to go help people whether our church building does or not. we do all belong to a church that not only encourages helping the needy, But commands it. and when were in a place to discuss the Bible, subjects Like this so consistant should be shared for those who dont Hear it. Just Like every other subject should be shared in a bdf ......some folks are Here to learn More than they Know already.