WEEK 9 ¤ GIVING TO THE POOR MATT 6:1-4

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven Matthew 6:1

Jesus presumes that those who follow him, are going to “practice righteousness” GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED PRAY FAST

OUR ATTITUDES & MOTIVES, JESUS WANTS TO ADDRESS OUR ATTITUDES & MOTIVES, NOT JUST BEHAVIORS He tells us “BEWARE”

So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 6:2

What attitudes do we have that may be like the Pharisees? Superiority? Spiritual pride? Religious Legalism? Need for recognition? Works Righteousness?

Laodicea I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Revelation 3:15-18

What is the right motive for giving alms? Thankfulness – a grateful heart For the love of Christ – 2 Cor 5:14 True, heartfelt compassion – not the same as pity

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17

So, what did Jesus mean, “ The poor you will always have with you, but me you have not always “ ? Some have taken this to mean, “It’s hopeless. We will never solve poverty. We may as not even try to do anything to help.” Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 15:7-11 If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be...For the poor you will always have with you in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’"

Jesus had great compassion for the poor! Jesus was REBUKING JUDAS!, who asked the question in criticism of Mary’s great act of worship. It was Judas’ greed and corruption, speaking, not his concern for the poor. (John 12:6) He expects His church to extend that compassion, wherever and however it may. Here’s what happened in the early Church: And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were NO needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4:34-35)

How should we respond to the poor and needy? Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life. Proverbs 22:22-23 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you"— when you already have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28

How should we respond to the poor and needy? A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. Proverbs 28:27

How should we respond to the poor and needy? Psalm 9:9, 17-18; Psalm 12:5 - “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” Psalm 35:10, Psalm 109:30-31 Isaiah the prophet also brings an indictment against those who neglect the poor: Isaiah 58:6-11 Isaiah 1:17 Isaiah 10: 1-3 Isaiah 25:4

We should be sure that our attitude toward ALL people proves that our Christianity is genuine One way to tell we are increasingly knowing our Father is when we react to others as He does!