These are more or less the same as the Old Testament. Since Israel, the nation, is different from Christians, a group of people who are followers of Jesus Christ, the principles are the same even if the law, rule, is worded differently.
The principle, the foundation, of helping others is LOVE.
B1 Verses
C1 2 Corinthians 8:9 GNB You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.
C2 Luke 4:18-19 GNB "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed (19) and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people."
B2 Comments
C1 The Lord Jesus had everything in the way of riches. He needed nothing. When He chose and was sent to be the Savior in the Virgin’s womb, he choose to be born into a poor family.
C2 Jesus preached to the poor. He was especially interested in the SPIRITUALLY poor, that is, those who are humble, but He was interested in the poor economically and socially.
The Lord Jesus shows concern for the poor.
B1 Verses
C1 Matthew 19:21 GNB Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me."
C2 John 12:8 GNB You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me."
C3 John 13:29 GNB Since Judas was in charge of the money bag, some of the disciples thought that Jesus had told him to go and buy what they needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.
C4 Luke 19:8 GNB Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much."
C5 Luke 21:3 GNB He said, "I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others.
C6 Acts 2:45 GNB They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed.
C7 Galatians 2:10 GNB All they asked was that we should remember the needy in their group, which is the very thing I have been eager to do.
C8 Romans 15:26 GNB For the churches in Macedonia and Achaia have freely decided to give an offering to help the poor among God's people in Jerusalem.
C9 James 2:5-9 GNB Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him. (6) But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich! (7) They are the ones who speak evil of that good name which has been given to you. (8) You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." (9) But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker.
C10 1 John 3:17-18 GNB If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? (18) My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.
B2 Comments
C1 The rich, young ruler had some problems.
D1 He thought those who were rich had special spiritual blessings and were guaranteed heaven. This was because “God is blessing me so much, He must be well pleased with me.”
D2 Money was more important than God. He was covetous.
D3 He refused to have the real spiritual blessings that the Lord Jesus would give—riches in heaven.
D4 His concern for his money was more important than his concern for the poor. It was this attitude that was breaking the Old Testament verses about helping the poor.
C2 Jesus is more important than money.
C3 Jesus was in the habit of giving to the poor.
C4 Zacchaeus was a changed man. God had given him a new heart because he believed who the Lord Jesus was and what He could do. This is reflected in the deeds that he did after becoming a believer.
C5 The Lord Jesus took knowledge of the poor widow’s gift. It is not the amount, but the attitude that is important. We may give little, but God knows if we have little and will bless us for what we give. If one is poor, they may not be able to give a lot.
C6 The early church gave money, belongings, and land to help their brethren. The brethren were more important than possessions.
C7 Paul reminded the members of the local church to collect money and articles to help the poor.
C8 People, whether Christian or not, have the tendency to horde. James, under inspiration, reminds us that we should not give special attention, respect, honor, privileges, etc. to the rich. It would be better to give to the poor.
C9 God does look at our actions and will judge accordingly.
C10 Works do not save; faith in Jesus Christ saves. Giving to help the poor and needy does have a place in the Christian life.
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