30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 14 12-14 Friend of the poor 06 Delivering the poor
📖 Luke 14:12-14
04Dec19 - *Delivering the poor* - _Luke 14:12-14_ - Bible reading: _Job 29:12-17_
_Luke 14:13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind._
The Lord was teaching the ruler of the Pharisees, to be a friend of the poor and not the rich. The reason being that it is the poor, who teach us the lesson of faith in God. Our God is calling us to be friends of the poor.
When we look at the list of the people, whom Jesus spoke about, let us not see them only with physical ailments. Poverty is complex. People are caught in various bondages and these bondages in which people are caught in, mesh with each other. Poverty is a powerful entanglement, from which it is not easy for people to be set free.
The bondages that people are caught in are cultural, social, spiritual, personal / psychological / intellectual, physical / medical / addictions and economical. These bondages are connected with each other, making it a complex web. They shall know the Truth and the Truth will set them free. This is the reason why the Church has to be in the forefront of delivering people from the web of poverty.
Not only are we to use the tithe, as a resource to take up the issues of the poor, the Lord wants us to celebrate with the poor. We often have times of celebration in our homes, families, communities and in our churches. These are opportunities that we need to use, not just to celebrate with our friends, as we read in _Luke 14:12_ but we must celebrate with those, who have nothing.
_Nehemiah 8:9-10 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. (10) Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."_
Can we make a decision that from now on, we will make our celebration times to be with the poor? Let us not be afraid to take this call as it is our Lord, who will carry us forward.
Not only our tithes but also our offerings are to be used to address the issues of the poor and celebrate with them. _Deuteronomy 16:10-11 Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the LORD your God blesses you. (11) You shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide._
Job’s life was in tune with the heart of God, to take care of the poor. _Job 29:12-17 Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. (13) The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. (14) I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. (15) I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame. (16) I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. (17) I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth._
Unrighteousness, corruption and injustice, finally hits the poor. The rich get away but it is the poor, who pay for the evil in society. It is therefore necessary for the Church to be champions, to fight the battles against the evils of our world, in the name of Jesus.
*Thought to ponder*
```It is when the Church returns to her calling that the nation will be healed.```