All Articles
The Poor
1. Introduction
Tonight we would like to talk about the poor. Here are three passages to get us started.
Proverbs 30:7-9: Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
1 Timothy 6:6-8: Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Proverbs 22:2: The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.
2. There is no disgrace to be poor (Proverbs 28:6)
3. People are not saved simply because they are poor (Luke 16:19-31)
a. The poor need the gospel (Matthew 11:1-5, Romans 1:16)
b. Sometimes the poor are more receptive to the gospel (Psalm 10:14, James 2:5)
c. The rich are to share their riches with the poor (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
4. Jesus Christ was poor (1 Corinthians 8:9)
a. From birth (Luke 2:21-24, Leviticus 12:6-8)
b. At one place He did not have a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20)
5. Responsibilities to the poor (Proverbs 14:21, 31, 17:5)
a. Remember them (Galatians 2:10)
b. Christians helping poor brethren (Romans 15:25-27, 1 John 3:17)
c. We have the poor always (John 12:1-8, Mark 14:7)
6. Those who help the poor are blessed (Proverbs 22:9, 28:27, Psalm 41:1-2)
a. In this life (Acts 20:35)
b. On judgement day (Matthew 25:31-46)
7. Some who helped the poor
a. The Lord (Psalm 35:10, 140:12)
b. Jesus and the disciples (John 13:29)
c. The worthy woman (Proverbs 31:20)
d. A king (Psalm 72:1-5, 12-14)
e. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8)
8. Some who mistreated the poor
a. David (2 Samuel 12:1-7)
b. Unjust judges (Psalm 82:2-4)
c. Told to not oppress the poor (Deuteronomy 24:14-15, Proverbs 22:22)
d. The neighbor (Proverbs 14:20)
e. The rich (Proverbs 22:7, James 2:6)
9. Conclusion
We need to always be willing to help the poor, especially those who are poor in the Lord.
a. The widow was very rich toward God (Luke 21:1-4)
b. Jesus became poor so all could be rich spiritually (2 Corinthians 8:9)
c. The poor are to be rich in faith (James 2:5)
d. The church in Smyrna was in poverty, but was rich (Revelation 2:9)
e. All (rich and poor) must repent and obey the Lord (Acts 17:30, Galatians 3:26-29)
Please consider these things from the Word of God and if you find them to be true, we ask that you submit to them. We hope to see you next time on, “Speaking The Truth In Love”.
