Richard Stearns

- I love being the CEO of Lenox - I worked for 20 years to get where I am today - I am on the brink of making a lot of money - We live in our dream house - I have 5 young kids - I love being the CEO of Lenox - I worked for 20 years to get where I am today - I am on the brink of making a lot of money - We live in our dream house - I have 5 young kids

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21 “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

God Cares About Powerless People

“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” Psalm 146:7-9 “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” Psalm 146:7-9 God cares about powerless people

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-20 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-20 God cares about powerless people

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Luke 6:20 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Luke 6:20 God cares about powerless people

God Cares About Powerless People God Expects Us to Care for the Powerless too

Giving the poor the things they desire Sharing meals with orphans Clothing the homeless Advocating for orphans in court Job 31 Giving the poor the things they desire Sharing meals with orphans Clothing the homeless Advocating for orphans in court Job 31 God expects us to care for the powerless

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 God expects us to care for the powerless

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 God expects us to care for the powerless “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29 “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29

The Good Samaritan by Vincent van Gogh The Good Samaritan by Vincent van Gogh God expects us to care for the powerless

“Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37 “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37 God expects us to care for the powerless

Consequences Of Not Caring For The Poor

- Our relationship with God suffers

“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.” Amos 5:21-22 “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.” Amos 5:21-22 Our relationship with God suffers

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen... to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him.” Isaiah 58:6-7 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen... to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him.” Isaiah 58:6-7 Our relationship with God suffers

The Last Judgment by Michaelangelo The Last Judgment by Michaelangelo Consequences of not caring for the poor

The Last Judgment by Michaelangelo The Last Judgment by Michaelangelo “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 Consequences of not caring for the poor

The Last Judgment by Fra Angelico The Last Judgment by Fra Angelico Consequences of not caring for the poor

The Last Judgment by Fra Angelico The Last Judgment by Fra Angelico “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:45 “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:45 Consequences of not caring for the poor

- We will be judged by our walk, not our talk. Consequences of not caring for the poor

- We will be judged by our walk, not our talk. Consequences of not caring for the poor “Faith without deeds is useless.” James 2:20 “Faith without deeds is useless.” James 2:20

Consequences of not caring for the poor

Dr. Clarence Ussher

Shavarsh Topazian (and family) Shavarsh Topazian (and family) God expects us to care for the powerless

Edward and Nell Slater God expects us to care for the powerless

Objections To Serving The Needy Jonathan Edwards

Objections To Serving The Needy - The poor aren’t in extreme need

Objections To Serving The Needy - The poor aren’t in extreme need - I have nothing to spare

Objections To Serving The Needy - The poor aren’t in extreme need - I have nothing to spare - The poor are ungrateful and their poverty is their own fault

Benefits Of Serving The Needy

- It is more blessed to give than to receive

It is more blessed to give than to receive Bernard Maritim

It is more blessed to give than to receive Bernard Maritim

Benefits Of Serving The Needy - It is more blessed to give than to receive - We loosen our grip on our wealth

We loosen our grip on our wealth Dennis Palmer with a Cameroonian friend

Benefits Of Serving The Needy - It is more blessed to give than to receive - We loosen our grip on our wealth - We become more like Jesus

“Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 We become more like Jesus

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Cheolsu Shin and Randy Marks Cheolsu Shin and Randy Marks

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