1. DEFENDER OF THE POOR IN HIS IMAGEIN HIS IMAGE

2. Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open- handed towards your brothers and towards the poor and needy in your land.

3. Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

4. Jeremiah 5:26-28 Among my people are wicked men … they have become rich and powerful …they do not defend the rights of the poor.

5. King Josiah 2 Kings 22:1-7 Jeremiah 22:11-16

6. Jeremiah 22:16 He (Josiah) defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord.

7. Defenders of the Poor

8. Nazareth Manifesto ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ Luke 4:18-19

9. Causes of poverty Disasters Disasters a) Economic depression, a) Economic depression, unemployment unemployment b) Famine, disease b) Famine, disease c) Flood, earthquake, tsunami, fire c) Flood, earthquake, tsunami, fire d) War d) War

10. Causes of poverty Sinful actions of others Sinful actions of others a) Oppression – Amos 4:1 a) Oppression – Amos 4:1 b) Persecution – Hebrews 10:32-34 b) Persecution – Hebrews 10:32-34 c) Unfairness in the workplace – c) Unfairness in the workplace – Jeremiah 22:13 Jeremiah 22:13 d) A deficit of love and relationships d) A deficit of love and relationships

11. Causes of poverty Individual’s sinful actions Individual’s sinful actions a) Addictions, greed - Proverbs 23:21 a) Addictions, greed - Proverbs 23:21 b) Laziness - Proverbs 6:6-11 b) Laziness - Proverbs 6:6-11 c) Refusing to be corrected – c) Refusing to be corrected – Proverbs 13:18 Proverbs 13:18 d) Pleasure seeking – Proverbs 21:17 d) Pleasure seeking – Proverbs 21:17

12. Causes of poverty Due to God’s desire to get our attention Due to God’s desire to get our attention a) God’s house was a ruin – a) God’s house was a ruin – Haggai 1:5-11 Haggai 1:5-11 b) Robbing God – Malachi 3:8-12 b) Robbing God – Malachi 3:8-12

13. North Witney Community Church

15. Matthew 25:25-40 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

16. When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

17. Helping 20,000 each year with debts Teaching 10,000 a year to budget.

18. THE BESOM in Witney sweep away suffering

19. Give your money Give your skills Give your things in Witney Give Give money Give Give time GiGive things Give Give skills

20. Empty rooms

21. Love in action

22. Besom delivers furniture from generous givers.

23. Generous giving

24. Love in action Cereals Tinned desserts Tinned meals Pasta, rice Tinned vegetables Soups Biscuits, treats Tea, coffee, etc

25. Love in action

26. GO  Go in prayer  Go in person  Go with pounds  Go with possessions

28. Jeremiah 22:16 He (Josiah) defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord.

29. Transformed into Jesus’ image not conformed to the world. Romans 12:1-2 Passion for Jesus, compassion for others