1. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Review In Jesus, God came as a poor man, lived as a poor man, and died as a poor man... Jesus cared deeply about the impoverished. (John Berry) Review

2. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Jesus tasted poverty,was surrounded by poor people and served the poor.

3. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a In the Bible the “poor” include the weak, the elderly, the mentally and physically handicapped, refugees, new immigrants, working poor, natural disaster victims, the unemployed, single-parent families, orphans, widows – all of those are poor. (Tim Keller) These were the ones Jesus invested in. In the Bible the “poor” include the weak, the elderly, the mentally and physically handicapped, refugees, new immigrants, working poor, natural disaster victims, the unemployed, single-parent families, orphans, widows – all of those are poor. (Tim Keller) These were the ones Jesus invested in.

4. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) The first church, in Jerusalem opened up a soup kitchen for poor widows....as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew- speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6.1) Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) The first church, in Jerusalem opened up a soup kitchen for poor widows....as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew- speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6.1)

5. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) They faced two problems: discrimination and disorganization. Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) They faced two problems: discrimination and disorganization.

6. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) They solved both. The church organized with spiritual leaders (bishops /elders/pastors) and deacons....select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching [lit: serving] the word. (Acts 6.3-4) Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) They solved both. The church organized with spiritual leaders (bishops /elders/pastors) and deacons....select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching [lit: serving] the word. (Acts 6.3-4)

7. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) We need both kinds of leaders at ROOTS. We should ask God about this. Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) We need both kinds of leaders at ROOTS. We should ask God about this.

8. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) The men chosen could relate to the neglected widows (they all had Greek names). Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). (v 5) They were spiritual men assigned to practical ministry. Caring for the Poor (Acts 6) The men chosen could relate to the neglected widows (they all had Greek names). Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). (v 5) They were spiritual men assigned to practical ministry.

9. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Respecting the Poor (James 2) The rich are favored in any culture, the poor are shown contempt. The church must became counter-culture. Respecting the Poor (James 2) The rich are favored in any culture, the poor are shown contempt. The church must became counter-culture.

10. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Respecting the Poor (James 2)...suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? (James 2.2-4) Respecting the Poor (James 2)...suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? (James 2.2-4)

11. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Respecting the Poor (James 2) Many churches develop an in-crowd mentality, with insiders and outsiders. This is not the spirit of Jesus. Respecting the Poor (James 2) Many churches develop an in-crowd mentality, with insiders and outsiders. This is not the spirit of Jesus.

12. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Respecting the Poor (James 2) A church must value people like God does, not like the culture. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? (v 5) “If they’re good enough for Jesus, they’re good enough for us.” Respecting the Poor (James 2) A church must value people like God does, not like the culture. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? (v 5) “If they’re good enough for Jesus, they’re good enough for us.”

13. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Respecting the Poor (James 2) Does ROOTS value affluence and career and academics, or people made in God’s image? Respecting the Poor (James 2) Does ROOTS value affluence and career and academics, or people made in God’s image?

14. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (2 Corinthians 8) Paul collected funds from Gentile churches to help the poor in Jerusalem. [the prophet] Agabus...predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world.... So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. (Acts 11.28-29) Caring for the Poor (2 Corinthians 8) Paul collected funds from Gentile churches to help the poor in Jerusalem. [the prophet] Agabus...predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world.... So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. (Acts 11.28-29)

15. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (2 Corinthians 8) This became Paul’s pattern, preaching the good news and caring for the poor. [the Macedonian churches] gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. (2 Corinthians 8.3-4) Caring for the Poor (2 Corinthians 8) This became Paul’s pattern, preaching the good news and caring for the poor. [the Macedonian churches] gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. (2 Corinthians 8.3-4)

16. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Caring for the Poor (2 Corinthians 8) One mark of an excellent church: they’re generous to the poor. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (v 7) Caring for the Poor (2 Corinthians 8) One mark of an excellent church: they’re generous to the poor. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (v 7)

17. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a The Motive for Relating to the Poor We’re now in the Jesus-culture, affected by him and imitating him. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. (v 9) The Motive for Relating to the Poor We’re now in the Jesus-culture, affected by him and imitating him. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. (v 9)

18. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a The Motive for Relating to the Poor A litmus test: if you really get the gospel, you’ll be generous to the poor. It’s because we were bankrupt spiritually, on the subsistence level, about to starve and perish The Motive for Relating to the Poor A litmus test: if you really get the gospel, you’ll be generous to the poor. It’s because we were bankrupt spiritually, on the subsistence level, about to starve and perish

19. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a The Motive for Relating to the Poor Jesus spent it all – time, energy, love, attention, comfort, leisure, and life itself – so we could be rich spiritually. In gratitude, we do the same for the poor and the spiritually bankrupt. The Motive for Relating to the Poor Jesus spent it all – time, energy, love, attention, comfort, leisure, and life itself – so we could be rich spiritually. In gratitude, we do the same for the poor and the spiritually bankrupt.

20. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a And you? Will you get involved practically in caring for the poor? Will you ask God for spiritual eyes to see the poor as he does? Will you find ways to be generous to the poor? Are you willing to give your life away, as Jesus did? And you? Will you get involved practically in caring for the poor? Will you ask God for spiritual eyes to see the poor as he does? Will you find ways to be generous to the poor? Are you willing to give your life away, as Jesus did?

21. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. Luke 12.33a Imagine the ROOTS way! Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can. (John Wesley) Imagine the ROOTS way! Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can. (John Wesley)