why believers in the one and only God, should not neglect serving the poor

[JoReba]

if you read what was printed and also go in to the link provided, MUCH is said on HOW to SERVE the poor.

and what is the POOR in this day and age is debatable i suppose....?

No. I asked, "How do you personally serve the poor?"

in this day and age, I am ''the poor'', and i serve myself quite well...

Does your claim to poverty mean you are not to serve othe poor people? Lol.

 

[JoReba]

the passages above are not dealing solely with money guys and gals....

it's how you think....

Do you think your riches came from yourself or do you think you've been blessed by God?

Do you fight for the poor? Do you stick up for them? Do you want them to have justice or can you care less? Do you think they should be treated differently or the same as the rich man when it comes to the court system?

Do you HOLD THEM DOWN....oppress them? Or are you kind to the needy?

Are you arrogant? Overfed? unconcerned with the needy? As the people of SODOM were before they were annihilated?

Are you the 'greedy' that the Bible speaks of in the Last Days?

this goes much deeper than donating money for charity, this comes from the heart and mind.....

Where does your heart and mind on the topic stand? do you even care or have concerns for them?

I'm not sure what exactly you are trying to achieve with these questions. Am I supposed to list the work I do with those less fortunate so other people can say 'good for you'? Is it not sufficient to say I do what I can to help people who need help? Am I supposed to recognize that I should pay more to the government so that they can 'help' people that they decide need help? (Because, to me, that breeds an entitlement mentality, and no matter how much I give to the government, they will want more).

I have no problem with my life. I do what the Bible expects of me, what my parents expect of me.... and what I expect of myself.

Am I supposed to feel guilty about something? If so, just say it.

No, you're not suppose to list what you do....only you can know what is in your heart mind.....I am not here to judge on what you give or don't give and I don't believe the Bible passages above is rating people on that either....it's what you may be thinking, what's in your heart and soul that God is asking one to reflect on.

Only you can know this....along with God....these passages go deeper than a Pastry dish.....imho. and this could just be to me....but I found myself questioning some of my own inner thoughts, inner feelings on the topic....Like, did I really give credit to God for my own blessings or did I think I earned them all by my lonesome.....and I think I have thought that I, on my own, did all that i did, for me.....and these passages above, have humbled me....moreso than I would have thought....

Care

Do you actually "CareForAll?" Or, do you just talk about it as if you do it ... ? Lol.

 

[Dr.Drock]

the passages above are not dealing solely with money guys and gals....

it's how you think....

Do you think your riches came from yourself or do you think you've been blessed by God?

Do you fight for the poor? Do you stick up for them? Do you want them to have justice or can you care less? Do you think they should be treated differently or the same as the rich man when it comes to the court system?

Do you HOLD THEM DOWN....oppress them? Or are you kind to the needy?

Are you arrogant? Overfed? unconcerned with the needy? As the people of SODOM were before they were annihilated?

Are you the 'greedy' that the Bible speaks of in the Last Days?

this goes much deeper than donating money for charity, this comes from the heart and mind.....

Where does your heart and mind on the topic stand? do you even care or have concerns for them?

I'm not sure what exactly you are trying to achieve with these questions. Am I supposed to list the work I do with those less fortunate so other people can say 'good for you'? Is it not sufficient to say I do what I can to help people who need help? Am I supposed to recognize that I should pay more to the government so that they can 'help' people that they decide need help? (Because, to me, that breeds an entitlement mentality, and no matter how much I give to the government, they will want more).

I have no problem with my life. I do what the Bible expects of me, what my parents expect of me.... and what I expect of myself.

Am I supposed to feel guilty about something? If so, just say it.

No, you're not suppose to list what you do....only you can know what is in your heart mind.....I am not here to judge on what you give or don't give and I don't believe the Bible passages above is rating people on that either....it's what you may be thinking, what's in your heart and soul that God is asking one to reflect on.

Only you can know this....along with God....these passages go deeper than a Pastry dish.....imho. and this could just be to me....but I found myself questioning some of my own inner thoughts, inner feelings on the topic....Like, did I really give credit to God for my own blessings or did I think I earned them all by my lonesome.....and I think I have thought that I, on my own, did all that i did, for me.....and these passages above, have humbled me....moreso than I would have thought....

Care

If you consider money a blessing I feel sorry for you, that would imply that your god thinks all poor people don't deserve blessings.

 

[Lorissa]

I'm more curious as to what makes on think that a Government that can do little if anything right is the answer to societal ills?

Charity alone cannot deal with the social issues we have for two major reasons:

1) Charity is fundamentally biased, and the givers of such often place value judgments upon those who receive it. If cute little 9 year-old Sarah needs an expensive operation, the money will pour in like a deluge. Yet if 49 year-old Mac who just lost his job at the steel mill needs the same operation, the man is probably doomed. This isn't a question of a zero-sum game, where there is only so much money to go around. It's a question of value judgments, the idea that "Mac can take care of himself" when, in fact, he can't.

Thus, in a strange, indirect sort of way, charity itself sets up the concept of "death panels" that the conservatives threw a fit about. The only difference is that the American people, rather than the government, decides who lives or dies. It is reminiscent of some sick and twisted American Idol vote.

The government is not influenced by how cute Sarah is or whether Mac is an adult male. If a person qualifies for assistance, he or she will receive that assistance without having to worry about winning a popularity contest first.

2) Charity is incapable of handling very expensive or long-term needs. For the elderly and the disabled who often need help over the long term, they cannot rely on the whimsy of charitable giving, or having their funds yanked out from beneath them because the charity itself did something politically wrong.

A good example of this was when the Catholic Church threatened to close down all of its charities in the DC area to coerce the local politicians there not to recognize gay marriage. Those who rely on charity cannot afford to be held hostage in this manner, for life-saving medications and treatments can and would be withheld through no fault of their own.

Charity is fine if someone needs a hot meal and some used clothing, but it would fail abysmally for things like disability, Social Security, and the need for major medical expenses. There needs to be both public and private assistance, not either/or.

 

[California Girl]

the passages above are not dealing solely with money guys and gals....

it's how you think....

Do you think your riches came from yourself or do you think you've been blessed by God?

Do you fight for the poor? Do you stick up for them? Do you want them to have justice or can you care less? Do you think they should be treated differently or the same as the rich man when it comes to the court system?

Do you HOLD THEM DOWN....oppress them? Or are you kind to the needy?

Are you arrogant? Overfed? unconcerned with the needy? As the people of SODOM were before they were annihilated?

Are you the 'greedy' that the Bible speaks of in the Last Days?

this goes much deeper than donating money for charity, this comes from the heart and mind.....

Where does your heart and mind on the topic stand? do you even care or have concerns for them?

I'm not sure what exactly you are trying to achieve with these questions. Am I supposed to list the work I do with those less fortunate so other people can say 'good for you'? Is it not sufficient to say I do what I can to help people who need help? Am I supposed to recognize that I should pay more to the government so that they can 'help' people that they decide need help? (Because, to me, that breeds an entitlement mentality, and no matter how much I give to the government, they will want more).

I have no problem with my life. I do what the Bible expects of me, what my parents expect of me.... and what I expect of myself.

Am I supposed to feel guilty about something? If so, just say it.

No, you're not suppose to list what you do....only you can know what is in your heart mind.....I am not here to judge on what you give or don't give and I don't believe the Bible passages above is rating people on that either....it's what you may be thinking, what's in your heart and soul that God is asking one to reflect on.

Only you can know this....along with God....these passages go deeper than a Pastry dish.....imho. and this could just be to me....but I found myself questioning some of my own inner thoughts, inner feelings on the topic....Like, did I really give credit to God for my own blessings or did I think I earned them all by my lonesome.....and I think I have thought that I, on my own, did all that i did, for me.....and these passages above, have humbled me....moreso than I would have thought....

Care

I was raised with the value of helping my fellow man, not for reward or praise or for any other reason... other than because it's my duty - and my privilege - to do so. What I do is pretty much between me and God.... other than I may occasionally mention it publicly if the subject comes up.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

The premise of this thread is ridiculous. It is well documented the work that people of faith do for others.
I'm more curious as to what makes on think that a Government that can do little if anything right is the answer to societal ills?

We can always do more

Can we?

Tell me, what more could Mother Theresa have done?

 

[JamesInFlorida]

When I worked at a grocery store and we had the option for adding $1 to their order for St. Jude's-I was astonished that most of the people wearing a cross, or something else of a religious symbol didn't really donate more than others. Is that really what Jesus would do? Not even sacrifice a dollar for dying children, and keep it for himself?

 

[Avatar4321]

The premise of this thread is ridiculous. It is well documented the work that people of faith do for others.
I'm more curious as to what makes on think that a Government that can do little if anything right is the answer to societal ills?

We can always do more

Can we?

Tell me, what more could Mother Theresa have done?

No idea. I don't exactly have a play by play of her life. But there is always more.

 

[strollingbones]

I'm not sure what exactly you are trying to achieve with these questions. Am I supposed to list the work I do with those less fortunate so other people can say 'good for you'? Is it not sufficient to say I do what I can to help people who need help? Am I supposed to recognize that I should pay more to the government so that they can 'help' people that they decide need help? (Because, to me, that breeds an entitlement mentality, and no matter how much I give to the government, they will want more).

I have no problem with my life. I do what the Bible expects of me, what my parents expect of me.... and what I expect of myself.

Am I supposed to feel guilty about something? If so, just say it.

No, you're not suppose to list what you do....only you can know what is in your heart mind.....I am not here to judge on what you give or don't give and I don't believe the Bible passages above is rating people on that either....it's what you may be thinking, what's in your heart and soul that God is asking one to reflect on.

Only you can know this....along with God....these passages go deeper than a Pastry dish.....imho. and this could just be to me....but I found myself questioning some of my own inner thoughts, inner feelings on the topic....Like, did I really give credit to God for my own blessings or did I think I earned them all by my lonesome.....and I think I have thought that I, on my own, did all that i did, for me.....and these passages above, have humbled me....moreso than I would have thought....

Care

I was raised with the value of helping my fellow man, not for reward or praise or for any other reason... other than because it's my duty - and my privilege - to do so. What I do is pretty much between me and God.... other than I may occasionally mention it publicly if the subject comes up.

i will say it...according to board rumors you are a sneaky person who betrayed people by letting someone else use your id and password and allowing them to 'spy' on a messageboard

simple as that

there is a lot of talk behind your back....i wont talk behind your back but i find what you did ....if true..and i would say from the gossip it is very true....rather shameful

 

[strollingbones]

so why dont you drop this holier than thou....high horse stuff.....

 

[Avatar4321]

No, you're not suppose to list what you do....only you can know what is in your heart mind.....I am not here to judge on what you give or don't give and I don't believe the Bible passages above is rating people on that either....it's what you may be thinking, what's in your heart and soul that God is asking one to reflect on.

Only you can know this....along with God....these passages go deeper than a Pastry dish.....imho. and this could just be to me....but I found myself questioning some of my own inner thoughts, inner feelings on the topic....Like, did I really give credit to God for my own blessings or did I think I earned them all by my lonesome.....and I think I have thought that I, on my own, did all that i did, for me.....and these passages above, have humbled me....moreso than I would have thought....

Care

I was raised with the value of helping my fellow man, not for reward or praise or for any other reason... other than because it's my duty - and my privilege - to do so. What I do is pretty much between me and God.... other than I may occasionally mention it publicly if the subject comes up.

i will say it...according to board rumors you are a sneaky person who betrayed people by letting someone else use your id and password and allowing them to 'spy' on a messageboard

simple as that

there is a lot of talk behind your back....i wont talk behind your back but i find what you did ....if true..and i would say from the gossip it is very true....rather shameful

We have board rumors now? When did we become high school students again?

And why would you believe such nonsense?

 

[strollingbones]

this is all more middle schoolish...

i am simply asking a simple question ....is it true or not....

and i have ask in a more appropriate thread


as for giving or helping....we all should regardless of religions..strive to be better people

 

[strollingbones]

i am careful about what i give too....mainly animal charities....and disabled vets....or if its for a local person or event...dont get me wrong i cant afford to give much

 

[Immanuel]

When I worked at a grocery store and we had the option for adding $1 to their order for St. Jude's-I was astonished that most of the people wearing a cross, or something else of a religious symbol didn't really donate more than others. Is that really what Jesus would do? Not even sacrifice a dollar for dying children, and keep it for himself?

I typically won't donate anything in this manner either. How would I know that the grocery store is not taking $0.98 of that dollar for "administrative expenses" and giving the other two cents to the charity? I can just as easily go directly to the source and donate to the charity if I so choose.

Immie

 

[emilynghiem]

Why One Should Not Neglect Serving the Poor

Dear Care4all:
The Bible also talks about

1. teaching people to FISH
The models of breaking the poverty cycle by education, training and mentoring
are the most effective for sustainable, longterm financial independence AND spiritual health. Bringing the best together of both charitable outreach AND business education.
My favorite examples: Grameen Foundation/Bank microlending (builds independence without handouts but helps people learn to start and maintain their own businesses), Lifestyles Unlimited real estate mentorship program (has helped people retire in as little as 5 years as millionaires on passive income where they don't depend on govt or 401K for benefits or savings but pay their own retirement)

2. AND about respect for civil laws and authorities
AND paying all debts for wrongs we are held to by our neighbors under the law

So any restitution owed for breaking civil laws is still owed to the public.
We are forgiven spiritually as we forgive others unconditionally on that level
where grace and salvation are not earned by works and not owed where Jesus paid that debt.
But that does not excuse or free us for responsibilities to civil authorities or laws.
We can be forgiven spiritually and still owe debts and restitutions for trespasses
by the civil laws.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

The Bible tells us that ""If a man will not work, he shall not eat.", therefore a great disservice is being done when money or food is given to this man.

 

[Gadawg73]

What is the definition of "poor" anyway?
In NY a family of 5 making 60K a year is considered "poor" and I have to pay for their kids to get free lunches at school.
My son's best friend has parents that are divorced. He went to the same college as my son. But he is "poor" and received all kind of aid while my sons have to pay full freight because we work. All the while my son's friend gets a new Camaro his grandfather bought him and cash to boot.
Add up what the government gives the moocher class that has a family of 5 with food stamps, health care, section 8 housing, earned income credit and AFDC and what do you get?
More moochers each and every year. And over half of them have a higher standard of living BEFORE they steal a nickel from the taxpayers than what the average European lives on.
I donate time and $$ to any organization that SCREENS applicants for help. No one gets any $$ if they do dope, don't work or look for work or offer to work and no one goes hungry regardless. The food is distributed on need only, but not the other help.
How is it my 3 kids find work, my nephews find work and that Guatemaulan man that walked over a thousand miles to get here, barely speaks English WORKS?
Because THEY WANT TO WORK.

 

[Avatar4321]

There is another quote I've always found true:

Build a man a fire, he will be warm for a day; Light a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his relatively short life.

 

[THE LIGHT]

Why One Should Not Neglect Serving the Poor

Exodus 22:21-27 “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless. If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”

Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”


Isaiah 10:1-3 " Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?”

Jeremiah 5:28 “‘Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor. ‘Should I not punish them for this?’ declares the LORD. ‘Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?’”

Ezekiel 16:49 "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

Ezekiel 22:29, 31 "The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Amos 5:12 “For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.”

Luke 6:24 " But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort."

Luke 16:19-25 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.'"

1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

James 5:1-6 “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.”

World Vision - What Does the Bible Say About the Poor?

I agree, Christians should give to the poor.

The difference is Conservatives feel that people should give to the poor while Democrats feel that people should give to the government.

1John 3:16 is speaking of brother as in "Christian brother" not brother as in "government big brother".

The Bible also talks about when to give. It says to let those with families
1 Timothy 5:3-5
-3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
-4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
-5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

For able bodied human beings (a category of which many "so-called" poor Americans fall into) the Bible says if you don't work you don't eat. (2Thes 3:10)

 

[Care4all]

The Bible tells us that ""If a man will not work, he shall not eat.", therefore a great disservice is being done when money or food is given to this man.

the Bible also says that all farmers should leave 10%+ of their fruit and veggies for the poor to be able to come in and pick for their own food.

many on food stamps DO WORK, and only those that work can even get the EICredit.... so not all the things you and others mentioned even relate to your Bible passage?

and maybe if we as individuals were more giving, the gvt would not be involved....??? who knows?

I do agree that SOME people scam the system.