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Helping Others Introduction: One of the things asked of Paul was to "remember the poor" Galatians 2.10. There are numerous Old and New Testament passages addressing the needs of the poor. We want to look at some of those passages and address our responsibility toward the poor today. I) God's Provisions A) Leave the gleanings for the poor, Lev. 19.10; 23.22 1. Not show partiality against the poor, Lev. 19.15 2. Deut. 24.19-24 specifies the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow 3. Deut. 15.11 the poor will never cease from the land. a. God's plan required the poor to go and work for their food. b. God blasted Israel for not caring for the poor. B) Jesus went to the poor, Matthew 11.4-5 1. Jesus also stated that we would always have the poor, Mark 14.7 2. He also taught that we should love our fellow man, Matthew 22.37ff and defined our neighbor for us in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10. II) Our Responsibilities Toward Those Needing Help A) Notice I did not say the poor but those needing help 1. Some people have calamities to occur which leaves them destitute. a. Flooding, tornadoes, loss of job, etc. b. They may need help to get them "back on their feet" or to bridge the gap between now and when things get better. 2. Some questions we often ask: a. What is our obligation to them? b. How to best help them? c. What are our limitations? d. What if we want to help but don't know how? B) The Bible makes a distinction between individual and congregational activity, 1 Timothy 5.16 1. Individual benevolence, Galatians 6.10; James 1.27; Matthew 25.34ff. a. This may include providing a place to stay, helping with food, medical expenses, transportation, clothing, etc. One of the stories from these last few weeks has been neighbors helping their fellowman. Students at the University of Alabama going out to help. People opening up their houses to those homeless. Food preparation for those needing food. b. Notice we can help both Christians and those not a part of God's family, Gal. 6.10 2. What is our obligation to them? James 4.17 i. Must know the need exist, have the ability to help, show good stewardship ii. This may include using organizations such as Red Cross. But you need to know what the money is going for and not be supporting things contrary to God's word. iii. How best to help them? Christians may pool resources to help. Make sure the money, food, etc. is actually being used to help. Ex. People getting school supplies and then turning them in at the store to get the cash. iv. Limitation is to not neglect your family, not become an enabler, knowing what the need is. C) Congregational benevolence, 1. Congregations helped their own needy members, Acts 4.34-35 2. Congregations help Christians in other congregations, 1 Corinthians 16.1ff. a. What is our obligation to them? To be concerned for our brothers and sisters in Christ. b. How? They sent it to the elders of the congregation to be distributed to their members in need. Example: the famine in Judea, Acts 11.27-30; helping the saints at Jerusalem, Romans 15.25-26. c. What are our limitations? To send to the elders of the congregation of those in need. Not create a separate organization to handle the money and distribution. Either a benevolent organization or a church acting as a sponsoring church. To give what we have the ability to give, 2 Cor. 8.12ff. d. What if we want to help but don't know how? That is why the elders are so important. They will know their members and their needs. Conclusion: Wade and Debra Sue Pepper's house was destroyed in Alabama. Wade's farm machinery looked as if it had been tossed around like toys. When asked what they would do they responded, "We don't know but we will do something." They went to church that next Sunday. There was no power on in the building but the Christians there did what they do every Sunday. They prayed, remembered the Lord's death, heard the word of God preached, sand spiritual songs, and gave as they had been prospered. One person could not help but notice that when the collection plate was passed around, Wade reached for his wallet and put some money into the tray. Jesus said it is better to give than receive, Acts 20.35. |