1000 CHURCHES and 4000 HOMELESS??
The poor and needy are a priority with God. The Bible makes this very clear, from the Old Testament to the New. The widow and the orphan are at the forefront of His concern. A timely comment on this topic is below-
1000 CHURCHES and 4000 HOMELESS
-by ‘Beres’.
I live in Nashville where more Bibles are printed than anywhere else in
the world. We have more Christian publishing houses in Nashville than
anywhere else on the face of the earth – more churches per square mile –
and, outside the Vatican, a greater percentage of bodies in buildings on
Sunday morning than anywhere else on earth. So we in Nashville have a
better chance to get it right, wouldn’t you say??
We have 1000 churches and 4000 homeless people living and dying under
bridges and in culverts.
I know because I have prayed with them and lain with them as they died,
and every week I feed and pastor them. We can’t even get it right enough
for every church to reach out to 4 homeless people. And yes, that includes
children as young as they get.
Nashville is the headquarters for a swag of church denominations,
and para church organizations like the Gideons, and from this
buckle on the Bible belt of the richest nation on earth, missions
go out all round the globe. Those missions are funded with .01
percent of all monies collected in North American churches.
Thats right! For every $1000 collected by North American churches,
ONE Dollar is sent to evangelize those who have never heard the
name Jesus – but from the latest stats, are probably well aware
of the name Coca Cola.
And frankly, whereas I once despaired of these manifest failures
of the church, now I say, Bring it on! Let the world see forever the
rich failures of putting religion before Jesus, ritual before relationship, rules before lives and liturgy before love.
When the world at large finally see that the emperor has no clothes,
so also will the light of the real gospel of grace and peace shine
the brighter. For where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!
Let it get darker, our Jesus will shine brighter.
-Please comment on this topic below-
I can relate to this article 100%, been there (church) done that (tithing) don’t ever want to do it again! In the last 5 years since leaving institutional church I’ve felt more alive and connected to Jesus than the last 20 years warming a pew. Jesus said “Go” into all the world NOT “stay” and get fat and fed!!
This is very common in the rich countries. and churches in a rich comunity. world wide…
but thank GOD there are some people who hear HIS call…
People are just feeding themselves and ignoring the plight of the widows, poor, orphans… UNDER THEIR VERY NOSES!!!!
Way to go Julie!!!! our exact same experience. GOD is SO GRACIOUS……
i read something yesterday,…..
I prayed to GOD to keep me safe from my enemies…
And i soon lost most of my friends….
This could apply to much of what calls itself christian today.
Let us keep our eyes on YESHUA our MESSIAH!!!!
And meditate on the Scriptures day and night – not as a filler – but rather as a mirror. Our lives, against GOD’s expectations….
i think this posting says it all really. i dont know much about capitalism or politics but my heart is for the Kingdom of God on the earth.
i hear from the grapevine that there have been protests around the world against banks, capitalism etc. occupy wall street and occupy london – i havent followed it on the news. i have stopped listening to the news media and instead tune into God as much as He enables me.
i live in the uk. in the south west. were the founding fathers left for the new world so that they could worship in freedom. so you should be able to gauge where i live.
i didnt go to church last sunday morning, instead stayed home and listened to a couple of sermons online which really moved me. then in the early afternoon i received an email from somebody who attends the same church as myself. she told me that protesters had camped out right across from the church building. like i said i dont follow what is going on in the media. but i was told the minister had gone to speak to the protesters. great!!
i went to the evening service. i had to come out of the meeting because the lady in front of me was i thought, taking notes but i realised she was playing sudoko. i started to giggle because i thought this is what we are up against. this lady is no fool she attends university as a mature student. anyway, i went outside and had a drink. two people, as usual, were doing security. i sat down and there was barefooted man sitting there too.
he spoke to me – he asked me something about fascism. i told i dont understand what it is. i asked him if it was something to do with anarchy. he said about hitler and the jews who died in the gas chambers. so he asked me about the church – christian love etc. we exchanged names, his name is dave. then he told me the man sitting in the other chair, who is a church member and was doing security wouldnt speak to him. it turned out the reason was – dave wouldnt put the cup he was holding, down on a particular table. then the security chap said you were leaving with the cup. i told you to put the cup down on that table and you wouldnt. apparently dave was bringing the cup out to the protesters who are short on supplies.
an arguement/dispute ensued. i felt like i was definitely a bystander/observer of how the church is and appears to the world.
i am ashamed of the church. dont get me wrong – there are many people who lay down their lives for Christ. they go into the world – the jungles, places that i wouldnt want to go to. but over all, the church for all its professing of the gospel should be ashamed of itself.
this is what i concluded about the incident on sunday night.
we, the church dont do what our Lord Jesus has told us to do. yet we act and expect the world to obey the commandments (which many of them have never heard, never mind obey) which we ourselves dont keep. we act self righteously and pontificate over others and tut-tut over what goes on the in the world – but we need to be tut- tutting over what goes on in the church.
did it matter about dave taking a cup? the security guy was trying to impose his power on somebody who was trying to help those who didnt have a cup.
and
what did Jesus say – if somebody takes your shirt – give them also your cloak – if somebody wants you to go one mile, you go two miles and if they strike your cheek offer them the other.
i am ashamed of the church – i really am.
i dont understand the protests. the protesters are sitting on the grass they have tents. and the comfortable middle class church is being encouraged to do them a favour and go and make them feel welcome and break down the barriers. the protesters have no barriers but the church definitely does.
i have more respect for the protesters than i do for the church. we sit in our comfortable pews – we entertain ourselves with sudoko while the band plays and listen to the comfortable gospel which isnt what Jesus is about.
the protesters – leave their comfort zones, go and sleep in their tents – hope somebody will give them a sleeping bag to lie in or even hope somebody will come and give them a cup, yes stolen from the church – but does it matter? they shouldnt have been put in that position anyway. the protesters have the boldness and courage to go and stand for what they truly believe and i pray to God Almighty that He will bring young people like them into the church and that He will use them to make us very uncomfortable – and that they will show us all how to not be afraid to go into the world and preach that we say we believe in.
Dear Lord Jesus – forgive us for putting our own slant on your word. Forgive us for settling for the sugar coated gospel that wont offend us. Forgive us for not doing what you called us to do and forgive us for condemning the world when they do that things that put the church to shame.
Change us Lord – make us like you and strengthen us with boldness, courage to go and preach the Kingdom of God.
in closing i am just reminded that in days of old – many a poor man and woman ended up in vandeman’s land – australia, sent off in ships as punishment because they stole to feed their families – the punishment was harsh and the sentence didnt match the crime – in the name of God Almighty – things havent really changed – the only difference seems to be that i have the internet to be able to write this and hope share with you all.
God bless you.
It is already dark enough; His followers ought to shine brighter, but most of them are dead, they follow anything that moves, but Jesus.
The church has forsaken the licht, and the licht is the law, without law there is no light, how can we know what is sin, but for the law, do we then abolish the law so our light will shine brighter? Jesus is the law!
I have long ago given up on what the church is doing or saying – nothing! I remember in the ’90′s hearing the Lord tell me not to tithe into the house of mammon. I remember sadly walking away. I’ve kept walking. It’s great out here, I hear God more clearly & am used for His work. I am happy & unjudged. I would rather work at the gates of hell & see God move in His mighty ways.
I believe this is the great Falling Away that the Bible talks about. As much as I want to see a great out pouring of the Holy Spirit in these end times, I wonder if there will be one. I know that if it comes we will be pouring out into the streets to share Christ. In all our striving to be holy, and our doctrine so perfect…according to our own standards…..true love has gone wanting. I know the standard of all judgment our us even at the Judgment Seat of Christ will be the standard of love…..and I wonder how important our “doctrine” will be then when the layers of our hearts are laid back bare before Christ. When we let the sinners die in the streets, sin sick, hungry, lost and undone….and we never go out to the highways and byways and compel them to come in, nor even attempt to feed their hungry stomachs……oh, what will our God have to say about our important doctrine and self righteousness then?
This is the first thing Jesus told me when he saved me about twelve years ago. You knew where you were at, now as we walk and fellowship together, I will teach and show you present conditions,and can also show you future events at my descretion. You can now hear me when I call, you can see the shine from my Glory, and hear the song that echos from my Throne, The scales of, deceit, darkness and despire have been removed. Now, First things First, you must See where the Church’s are at, Some even call me by my name, this will literally astonish you. Do a Survey, Pull the chain in your area, Before I became your best friend, you assumed everything was fine, different name, different style on ever block, most people acted important, a few were even friendly. But where was the help at? Thanks Jesus for being so nice and coming and rescuing me. Thanks for sharing your Love and Mercy and Revealing your Retreival Plan ahead of Time.
Andrew, thanks for re-posting Beres’ post. Imagine, a place where God’s word is in abundant supply, Church services abound, money is plentiful, yet the poor, the orphan and the homeless suffer. Is God’s word mocked? Are Church services dead? Is the God of Mamon worshipped? Either believers do not know spiritual battle (prayer) or they are in deception. Is Nashville ripe for harvest?
I wonder what would happen if someone started a Church in Nashville, rented a building and invited people to come, and each week said to the congregation, “The Church does not want your money.” Please do not give money. Come and enjoy fellowship (Acts 2:42 style).
What would happen if people had to hear from God as to what to do with their money. I wonder if the modern day tithing imposition has disempowered people to hear from God. Imagine if money were used to care for the needy, or just used plainly for the ministry of the Gospel – but the believer was taught how to discern and hear from God on this matter and other matters, including sharing the Gospel and how to live a Godly life in obedience to the truth.
I wonder if there were no emphasis on tithing, would the people start to feel empty in their walk with God. What would the people have to offer God on a regular basis if there was no tithing to the local Church program? Would they instead offer a greater measure of love, hospitality, generosity, their time and resources? I sincerely wonder whether tithing has replaced key responsibilities like sharing the Gospel.
Years ago, my wife and I wondered: What would have been the result back in the 1990′s if every message on tithing (which was weekly in many Pentecostal Churches) was replaced with a regular message on reaching out to the poor, widow and orphans? Interestingly, if the presiding minister did this, it may offend as some people would question whether he himself was doing this (Witnessing). But on money, well, it’s all relative, right, nothing to question anyone about. After all, how can you question the minister on that one?
How can you ask someone: Hey, I should give more money, can you teach me how to do this? I must advance the Kingdom with my money. I guess some people would ask this. But does anyone dare ask: Hey, I should witness to people, can you teach me how to do this? (Jesus said: Come follow me, I will make you fiashers of men)
If the fruit of tithing in Nashville = .01%, what would be the fruit of all believers mobilised to witness? Since that currency cannot be controlled and manipulated by a few leaders, the outcome would be exponential – lost souls saved. Somehow, we have replaced grace and truth (Christ, the Gospel) for a law (mamon).
A few years ago I met a man who did landscaping for a living. He told me how he got saved. In short, he visited 7 houses to carry out landscaping work. Each person at each house, shared with him, the precious Gospel. On the final and 7th visit, he was convinced that God was real and was drawn by the Spirit, to the Father. If money cannot save people, perhaps the Gospel, which is free, can.
I want to say more about the sad state of affairs and how within so called Church, hypocrisy is encouraged and bred into the life of believing Christians. But perhaps it would be better for me to pray and do what God is calling me to do. Each one of us will be accountable for our deeds.
Joyce, I likewise agree. Love will be the measure. If I may say, obedience and faith also. If we love Jesus, we will obey Him. If getting messed up to help people challenges us, faith comes in. Could we honestly sit at the banquet table with the Bride, knowing that we passed by dying, sick, hungry sinners? Would that be like wanting the best seats at the Banquet table? Is that the kind of person Jesus really wants to dine and fellowship with?
Lets make sure of all the facts here. The Church of God has its headquarters in Cleveland TN and they have had and still have an orphanage and children’s home for homeless children since their beginning. Here is the website of the children’s home in Tennessee. http://www.smch.org/
I can’t speak for any other churches but some of them may be doing what they can. I don’t know for sure but I do know about the Church of God. The one in Canton Oh helps support a homeless shelter.
I have to say also since I know this personally and personally know the pastors of these two churches, the Church of God of Prophecy in Akron Ohio gives thousands of dollars worth of food every week to the poor. The one in Canton Ohio which has come close to closing its doors for lack of funds at times, has recently raised over 600 dollars to help an elderly couple pay their medical bills even though that church barely has enough to pay its own bills. Both of these churches have their headquarters in Cleveland TN. I know we don’t do enough to help the poor but I do know that some really want to and don’t always have the resources to do it.
I have enrolled in the Ames program this week but doubt I can see it through. Various heart attacks and strokes in the past had left me in bad health. Yesterday, while alone at home, I had two severe heart cramps, brought on by emotional pain when a family across the passage were evicted. There were two toddlers who had to go out in the rain, with NOWHERE to go to. We live in a home where we rent one of seven rooms on a day to day basis, which is killing us as it is very expensive. we just cannot scrape together a deposit and a month’s rent in advance, so we have to earn money during the day so we can stay by night. Our 19-year old son shares the room with us.
There are a great number of churches around us, yet none are prepared to help any of the dysfunctional families and it is not the first time that children get sent onto the street in the rain. Our ward councillor, for instance. was elected to serve the community but she has proven herself to be worthless and aloof. She is too much of a coward to get face to face with the problems in her constituency. Her party boasts being the answer to the problem of the ruling Marxist regime, yet they are more guilty of things they accuse the communists of – and they consist mainly of practising Christians!
After a botched back operation 17 years ago, I was retired but without a monthly pension about 12 years ago and had to survive without an income in a country where my race is being ruled out of the employment market by discriminatory laws. It is only for the past two years that the state doctors had labelled me as permanently disabled in order to allow me a disability grant of roughly US$140 per month. Our room alone costs $25 per DAY!
For years I have tried making money in the commodities trading markets as I have excellent contacts both on buyer and suppliers side, but with no means of travelling to close deals. I did not even have a computer and had walked long distances, often in severe pain and exposed to raging winter storms, getting wet right through, then having to enter a 2-man tent and trying to get changed in something damp though not dripping wet. At night, with no lights!
There were various Christians who had offered me access to a computer but it seldom materialised. Yet it was a former prostitute, now a beautifully reborn Christian, who had sent me her old laptop with which I managed to complete my WBS bible school studies recently. it was with this computer and after having put up a brave fight, making myself hated by the authorities in the process, that I had fought for the white lady in Kalofong hospital a thousand miles away. She was being neglected and, at some point in time, maggots were eating away at her wounds after surgery. It was me who had lobbied over Easter weekend this year and had the press and politicians in her region act and rescued her. It was also me who had managed to find a new life for a young dad and his two toddlers, when evicted from the house we live in. It was my lady friend who had given me the laptop, who had find the solutions and effected the relief whilst being very poor herself.
Empowered to the barest minimum, we did change lives when a great number of churches had failed to act. It was the Muslim community who had brought that family food, in abundance.
During our plight while we had been living in the bushes or in tiny rented rooms in questionable “guest houses”, we were asked by our church fellowship to resign as we had “too much faith” for them! Too much faith for a church group??? What is Christianity about? We found ourselves over qualified for church and left it permanently with no intent to return, ever.
We did not ask for alms from our wealthy relatives but were warned not to even try, regardless. There is a number of houses standing empty, fully furnished but we have to fight for having a roof over our heads. During the past week, my wife’s blood was rejected by the Blood Transfusion services who usually call and ask her to donate as she has a scarce blood type. We don’t sell blood in my country; we donate it for free. The “vampires” as we call them, said her blood levels were dangerously low and have referred her to the state doctors for treatment. Yet she still has to work seven days a week, making jewellery and selling it from door to door.
A Buddhist lady brought a pheromone collar band for our tabby cat who is a bit hyperactive and aggressive; she has donated lots of cat food in the past and had our cats and the neighbour’s neutered/spayed at her cost, with not a cent asked from us. She brought the collar band yesterday but also packed a gift bag with chick peas, curry, chocolates, quince jelly, etc. A real treat and there also were home made glycerine soaps that my wife can indulge in. Earlier the same day, a Muslim lady brought us some veggies and grocery items. All in all, we have received food for a week which takes lots of strain off my wife.
While our Christian friends slander Muslims, I could send an email to a Muslim friend and he would be angry because I have never told him of my plight. In fact, I have been avoiding him simply because asking him for help would mean that I would be putting Jesus to shame. For roughly a decade, God had sent us in amongst proclaiming Christians to test their ways in terms of Jeremiah 6:27. Instead of recognizing our need as fellow disciples, they wanted to make PROFIT from us! they were X-rayed and found to be empty inside.
We have suffered much at the hand of the “true disciples” and less so at the hand of the traditional “temple-goers.” In fact, the ONLY Christian comfort came from Father Andrew of the Roman catholic church in Fish Hoek.
I am partnered with a lady abroad, who suffers in a similar way, whilst being surrounded by Christians. Her sacrifice for the sake of the Lord is immense. when she presented me with a financial solution for my region, a certain politician called the Botox Bitch by street dwellers, refused to even read the offfer or grant me an audience of ten minutes. by the time I had found inroads into our Presidency, it was too late as the offer had by then expired.
Christianity should stop judging those outside and we should start cleaning house from the inside. 1 Cor 5 doesn’t exist in the Christian Bible.
The Buddhist lady left Christianity because of what she had endured in Church; here in cape Town, I am ministering towards former Christians who had become Muslims at the hand of the delectable Charismaniacs.
My own persecution and that of my son, at least equal that of Paul, with the difference that it comes from the “disciples!!!” I have become an abrasive, irate man who wants to nuke every pushing pastor into hell the same way Ernst Ainsley pushes people over on my TV. I am so sick and tired of false priests. we have one here that is a celebrity on “Christian radio” but the police sees him as a Satanist. The haughty English Christians in Cape Town allow him on the very same “Christian”radio that teaches people to accept the 666 chip implant!!!
There is a cancerous growth that will infect every newcomer. Maybe Opus Dei isn’t a bad idea after all…..??
One of the biggest indictments against most churches in the western world is the fact that we are so focussed upon ourselves that we often can’t see past the end of our own noses.
The teaching of the New Testament is a personal focus first upon God, then upon others. The greatest command Christ said is to love God with all you are and all you have. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself. In contrast, much of modern “Christianity” is merely a “religionizing” of the sinful world’s philosophy of “looking out for number one.”
As believers, we need to be reaching out to others in need – not just physical need, but also those trapped in the other destructions sin brings, such as mental illness, broken marriages and homes, those confined to a sick bed, those who are lonely, etc. We are to reach out with the heart of the Father – a heart of love and compassion, mercy and grace.
There is one important aspect of this in Scripture which is often overlooked in this matter of reaching out to those in need. It is summed up in Galatians 6:10 (NASB) “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
In both the Old and New Testaments, the focus is upon starting with those who are the people of God. In the Old Testament the passages which speak to the ignoring and abuse of the poor and downtrodden was almost always directed to those within the nation of Israel. In the New Testament, it was to first of all care for those who were “of the household of faith.”
Even, in Christ’s most famous passage on touching on this subject (Matthew 25:31-46), the main objects of our compassion and charity are often missed. Christ said, “In asmuch as you have done it unto the least of these MY BRETHREN, you have done it unto me.” The focus was on CHRIST’S BRETHREN – not the world in general.
The question becomes, “Who are Christ’s brethren?” Proper interpretation of Scripture only yields two possible answers: either His “brethren” in the flesh – that is national Israel or Jews; the other is true believers. This latter is the most likely interpretation as Christ Himself defined His “brethren” in Mark 3:35 (NASB) “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
Even on this site, there have been times when a writer has lifted the veil a little to reveal that he or she is need. How many of us have reached out to that one? Sometimes, this is very difficult because of anonymity, but there have been those who’ve reached out to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. How many of us pass by, though, without reaching out?
It is interesting that even on this string of posts there are “anti-church” sentiments expressed. Let us not forget the Scriptures teach us that the Church is Christ’s creation and His design for His people. He did not intend for us to be “islands unto ourselves” but rather His body working together in fellowship for His purposes. I have to wonder, if those here, who have proclaimed their independence and rejection of “the church” (often with what seems to be a spirit of pride) aren’t part of the problem.
Who is to know how much good influence or example a true believer would have by being part of a fellowship of believers and working to minister with the example of Christ, instead of throwing up their hands and departing to be “a member of Christ’s Body” detached from the Body (doesn’t make much sense does it?)?
Before a host of you respond with your personal anecdotes trying to counter the plain teaching of Scripture that we are to be an active part of a fellowship, let me say this: I realize that there are many “churches’ which are more big business and false religions than there are true fellowships. The Lord has taken me through being an active member of about eight different fellowships in about as many years. I understand the challenges and difficulties as I have faced churches which did everything from embracing doctrines of demons, false gods, becoming-like-the-world-to-attract-the-world, to throwing me out and locking the church door against me because I dared to stand for righteousness and truth.
All these things have not turned me against the truth of Scripture that I am to be an active part of a local fellowship, so I have continued to search out a group of believers who more-or-less have the Scriptures as their basis for faith and practice. While not perfect, I think the Lord may have finally brought me to one (after 10 years of seeking one out within a 40 mile radius and attending about 30 different churches). No matter what different groups or churches may do, I will not give up on Christ’s design for His Church and the fellowship He calls His children to.
I believe the Scriptures teach that it within the boundaries of His creation – His Church – and His design for it, that we fulfill His purposes for our salvation and growth in Him (Ephesians 4:7, 8, 11-16). It is within the context of Christ’s Church and His fellowship of believers in Galatia that we are exhorted: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
Galatians 6:10 (NASB).
And let us not ignore Scripture’s exhortation in Hebrews 10:23-25 (
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
How can we best “stir up love and good works” if we ignore God’s command to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together”?
God bless,
Wayne
I can identify with this song after having experienced this terrible persecution by the ‘spirit-side” of church. Many, many churches refuse to help the poor.
I went to a church one day and asked for someone to PRAY with me. The answer was this: ‘come back week after next as we are feeding the immigrants.’
Churches here refuse to help locals, especially Christians get NO comfort, but they are sending lots of relief to illegal aliens, mostly Muslim. The Biblical instruction AND example was to look after your OWN first!
Sing with the Black Eyed Peas……
What’s wrong with the world mama?
People living like aint got no mamas
I think the whole worlds addicted to the drama
Only attracted to the things that bring you trauma
Overseas yeah we tryin to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin
In the USA the big CIA the Bloodz and the Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And if you hatin you’re bound to get irate
Yeah madness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
You gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love y’all
People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?(where is the lovex3)(the love2x)
It just ain’t the same all ways have changed
New days are strange is the world the insane?
If love and peace so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don’t belong
Nations dropping bombs
Chemical gases filling lungs of little ones
With ongoing suffering
As the youth die young
So ask yourself is the loving really strong?
So I can ask myself really what is going wrong
With this world that we living in
People keep on giving in
Makin wrong decisions
Only visions of them livin and
Not respecting each other
Deny thy brother
The wars’ going on but the reasons’ undercover
The truth is kept secret
Swept under the rug
If you never know truth
Then you never know love
Where’s the love y’all?(I don’t know)
Where’s the truth y’all?(I don’t know)
Where’s the love y’all?
People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father father father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?(where is the lovex3)(the lovex2)
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I’m getting older y’all people get colder
Most of us only care about money makin
Selfishness got us followin the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting their young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what the see in the cinema
Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
Instead of spreading love, we’re spreading anomosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feeling under
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feeling down
It’s no wonder why sometimes I’m feeling under
I gotta keep my faith alive, until love is found
People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?(fade)
I read Beres’ post earlier, and truly, statistics like this paint a grim picture of the church, at least in America today. I want to speak from the other side of this, however. I was involved in churches (especially when I was involved in liberal churches) which emphasized such outreach. I was hammered with statistics like this, attempting to motivate me to become involved in their social outreach programs. And I did, many of them, including Habitat for Humanity providing housing to the poor, and other housing ministries. I even began a transportation ministry making cars available to poor people needing transportation for work. I burned out of this. Why? Because it was all done in the flesh. My heart was there, but I was being motivated by my flesh. And it was all wood and stubble because these were not works (for me) which were directed by the Holy Spirit.
We can do all of this social outreach we want because we are responding to a need, and if this is the motive, these works will amount to nothing but chaff. I believe that as we see the Spirit of God move across the hearts of people in this day (and He WILL be moving!) we will see an outpouring of response to these needs, but this outpouring will not be in response to perceived needs that come from statistics thrown at us. And when we respond to the Holy Spirit, we will see much accomplished for the Kingdom that will go far beyond simply feeding the poor.
JULIE MANN? I totally agree with you!
A young girl in our community (Jasper, Georgia) was stricken with a disease that should have taken her life by now. She is frail and deaf and wheelchair bound and at age 21 has made the same astute observation – the church has “caved” to government and embraced the world. Her so-called “Christian friends” have all but abandoned her because she isn’t the same due to her condition. She puts us all to shame for the unconditional love she has for all. Why we’ve made “following Jesus” the last resort is beyond me.
very very good word from this brother….it is a GRIEF that the “body of Christ” seems to care so little for that which the LORD GOD – their “head” cares for a GREAT DEAL….i would just like to point out the likelihood that, dare i say “most” of the people who fill these churches are NOT true sheep, but goats?? perhaps the reason so many of “us” don’t act like our Father is because we really belong to “someone else” – the LORD JESUS said “you are of your father, the devil” – NOT sheep at all.
i would also like to speak up on behalf of TRUE believers, such as the ministry of Heavens’ Family and all those that join with them in what they do “unto the least of these My brethren”….i DO believe we are to do good to the “poor and needy” and that it matters to the heart of God, for “he who helps the poor, lends to the Lord”…but in matthew 25 the Lord Jesus made it VERY clear that His first concern is the poor and needy IN the Body of Christ – His “brethren” (for who are My mother, and brothers and sisters? those that do the will of My Father…)
so, let’s help the poor and the needy and operate in “pure and undefiled” religion to the widow and orphan and let us first, and foremost, bring them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and let us CARE FOR the true needy in the Body of Christ IF we truly ARE those of His body with His heart.
i strongly recommend the ministry of heavens’ family operated by david servant – in all my many many many years as a believer i have not found a ministry as “true” to the dictates of God’s Word as this.
Charles Faupel, you’ve made some good points.
The needs are greater than what any one (or any group) can ever meet. Years ago the Lord showed me that I could 24 hrs. a day, seven days a week and still not make much of a dent.
What He went on to tell me was that I needed to look to Him for His Spirit to lead and direct. This He has done in some of the most unusual ways. Sometimes it has been in conjunction with other believers, but most often it has been on a personal level as I have going through my day. Sometimes it has been opening my wallet to give all that is there. Other times it is stopping to help someone stuck in a ditch, or gathering up groceries from home to give to a person in need, or giving a hitchhiker a ride. Sometimes it has been direction to a person in spiritual need with a specifice word from God to him or her.
As I look back over the years, very little good has come from me being externally coerced into giving to a cause. I have, however, seen individual lives affected and changed as I acted with the fruit and direction which the Holy Spirit gave me. I believe much more is accomplished from the character of Christ (fruit of the Spirit) working through our everyday lives, than throwing money at a “program.” I have given money and resources (time, energy, talents) to programs as directed by God, but I have seen more directly accomplished by God as I’ve been willing to be a tool in His hands and an extension of His character here on earth in giving myself as He directs.
Indeed, is this not one of the lessons we learn from the Good Samaritan? “Loving your neighbour as yourself” is ministering to those in need which God brings across our path in the course of our day.
God bless,
Wayne
Pastor Wayne you said it so well. May I just add my Amen.
keep telling it like it is.
wouldnt it be a witness to the world if those churches opened there doors in the evenings to occomodate the homeless and provide beds for the night ?
Most church buildings could hold at least a few hundred people.
Unless of course there was some legality against that ,im not sure.
I’m grateful & tearful for this convicting & much needed post. May we hear God’s call to this & all ministries! Just a word of caution, dear saints: Guard your attitude toward those who aren’t serving like you, or like they should. There must be 50 ways to grieve your Savior! As we cry, fast, work & preach for Revival, for God to show up in power, we can get impatient & short-circuit His power by a critical spirit.
Has He sent you to serve the poor? Hallelujah. Do it with humility & grace. Yes, rebuke the selfish make-believers, but encourage others who serve Jesus in other ways, on their job, with their giving, with helping their fellow saints & neighbors– and invite them to join you.
How about celebrating His Holy Ghost diversity of gifts & callings? There must be 50 ways to serve your Savior! Praise God for those Gideons!– Get more Bibles out there! Praise the Lord for those missions!– where thousands of foreign homeless are being helped. Thank God for para-church groups that are doing what the church won’t.
As real revival spreads, may we hear God’s wake-up call to personal discipleship & obedience– whether its to go to the streets, or to business, to the arts, media or politics, or to a bankrupt church– and always, to the poor all around us! May we encourage & challenge each other to trim the fat, forsake our couches & lose our lives for Jesus. What’s in YOUR wallet? What’s in YOUR heart? What’s YOUR calling?
As a former homeless vet, I know what it is like to be scorned and forsaken. I do understand that there are some homeless people who rather stay that way, getting handouts instead of getting back on their feet. But there are others who want out of the ditch. I am thankful for the homeless shelter where I was that brought forth some message of Jesus.
Now what I see today, especially on most Christian shows and televised sermons is God wants to prosper you, give to us and God will bless it back. They miss the need on “why” on God wanting to bless us. Derek Prince taught on this and I haven’t forgotten it, that usually the extra money we have is to help others. Once he began to do that, he said giving to his ministry doubled. He continued to do this until his death.
This isn’t happening everywhere, and the area I live in has a high percentage or people living in poverty, needing food. Sadly, companies and stores give more food that is out of date, and get credit for it, thus, the food is thrown out and useless.
The last thing that still troubles me is I was at one church that didn’t have a benevolent fund, and because of an idolatrous prophecy, now the small church members are collecting money for a Cadillac, so the pastor can ride in style to his speaking engagements. The church hasn’t grown in five years.
Bless ME first, then maybe I can help others, but only when I say I have enough. Too bad some can’t step forward and help others, THEN let God bless them. I don’t know if that would be to act too much in faith.
I’m not but three hours from Nashville. I’m a musician and evangelist. How can I help? I would like to help.
Excellent article! I resonate with this. Loved the “bring it on, let them see!” part. One small comment: the “emperor that has no clothes” (a very well and good metaphor) is actually of course the great Harlot, Babylon Church (Rev 17,18) who is richly clothed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. She is confident and self-sufficient. She wants more riches for HERSELF. She glorifies herself and lives sensually, for she says in her heart, “I set as a Queen and I am not a widow and will never see mourning!”
Years ago my wife and I were led to the streets to feed the folks. But we were being hammered from the pulpit ‘bring all the tithes into the storehouse/church.’ We were forced to give up the street ministry because we were pennyless ourselves. I backslid because of all this falsehood. Lived in hell for 27 years about it all[churchianity] and it really messed my kids up. Now my whole family is lost at this point BUT…God has promised to save and heal my family from all the destructions of religion.
The problem with ‘church ministries’ to the poor, is once they get the poor saved and into their clutches, they are then forced to tithe or leave, no matter how poor they are.
So I really don’t want to hear about some big church ‘doing a mighty work of God’ for the poor somewhere when they end up destroying that life with the false tithing doctrine or making those converts ‘two-fold the devil of hell they are.’
Thank you Pastor Wayne…
oops… did we forget… we are the church…
… may we do likewise…
Which hand are we on right or left?
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Yes, I realize tithing is a much abused doctrine and the poor are neglected badly but we must remember the first love and calling is to spread the gospel that saves the soul as we feed the poor. Many ministries started out in feeding the hungry and ended up secular, government supported and gave up feeding them the word of God. Some do outreach ministries to cover up what they lack in spirit and do not feed the souls but have become dead churches spiritually. Tithing should never be forced. By force I mean promising riches or threatening the Malachi curse. It should be only done by those that are prosperous and can afford it in order to support their local churches which could not survive without support. The poor should not be guilted to tithe using the story of the poor widow as an excuse to take from the poor. The devouring widow’s houses warning is in the same passage of scripture by the way.
Yet without giving we would not have local churches to meet and worship God in because the gas bills alone are tremendous. I speak as a church treasurer who pays the bills, knows what comes in and what goes out. Yet I know it is abused and because of rich tv ministers and telethons the small local churches suffer. All these comments and messages are good but we must remember balance. Unfortunately it does take money to spread the gospel and have a place of worship. House churches are good but there is not enough of them to reach everybody.
Remembrance day should not be just remembering the wars, and tha fallen, but remembering those things which are the foundations of our society, families and our very life.
…..and this below is spiritual amnesia. I have seen the SAME scene wherever I have gone here. Kansas City, Liberty, Missouri, and here in North Carolina!……and I ministered with a precious sister to those lying in the snow on the freezing concrete under the overpasses in Kansas City, and around Liberty in the “Bible Belt” FULL of churches singing God’s praises. The WEALTH of some of the churches there is SICKENING! One church even calls itself “The Country Club Church” and LOOKS like one! The huge “Pleasant Valley Baptist Church” in Liberty (look it up on the internet and you will see it) spent ONE MILLION DOLLARS on a new gymnasium for their creature comforts. They spent $70,000 on a SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE! – for their entertainment! and you pay $7.50 to go and see it…Huh? – and there were women and kids living in freezing conditions IN CARS, and anywhere they could get shelter from the snow and cold, with no food or warm clothing…..There were something like 5,000 people (mostly FAMILIES!) living in a tent city down by the Missouri River who had been kicked out of their homes or apartments because they couldn’t meet their payments when they lost their jobs! My pantry worked overtime to try and get food to even a fraction of these needy people……I delivered up to 70 trays pf bread a week to those who were in need, including a couple of precious tiny Spirit-filled churches who had NOTHING – and it was the tip of the iceberg. Yip! We sure have amnesia! We have forgotten the grace of God that was ministered to US when WE needed it! We have forgotten the WORDS and COMMANDS of Jesus to heal the sick and to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and drive out demons….and to DIE to SELF! – and to FOLLOW (emulate!) Him. If this is how they reflect Jesus to the world, no wonder people don’t want to hear of this God who couldn’t care less about their need! I know one thing, He sure is not the God who heard and saw MY need, changed my life, and gave me eyes to see how lost and in need the world around me is. I think the money-changers and the traders have taken over the house of God again……pity help them when the angry Son of God storms through with His whip and cleans out His House of PRAYER! This article, was written by a Pastor just “next door” in Tennessee. Things are JUST the same here in North Carolina….but here there is more help – yet it’s generally the POOR helping the POOR……the wealthy still turn up on Sundays to church dress in their finery and flash cars to impress everyone how “God has blessed them with prosperity” – each one vying for greater recognition than the other…..but the drug and alcohol addiction, prostitution and homelessness in the poor areas of the community still go unchecked – the poor, small churches doing all THEY can with the limitations of their own finances. This town last year had 750 HOMELESS CHILDREN! – I don’t know what the figure is now. I just find it hard to get my head around, and even harder NOT to get angry. The American “dream” – what is that to a person lost, lonely, dying in their sin, living in poverty – with no hope? May God give us EACH one, ME INCLUDED a a vision of Him, and our own shortcomings, and may He FILL us with HIS love for the lost and dying, and HIS mercy and compassion……and the tools to do something about it.
Revival begins in the hearts of individuals…..it begins in me. It begins in you. And I pray that as individuals we will take hold of that baton that Jesus passed on to us, and “Go!” and bring in that harvest that is ripe – before it is TOO late and God requires them of us.
…and the disciples thought that it was wasteful to pour perfume over Jesus instead of using it to feed the poor. How that looks so right, doesn’t it!
There is no need for anyone to live on the street. Here in Canada, by law, a homeless person who goes to a government agency has to be given shelter.
The problem is a little “deeper” than it seems. I deal with homeless people every day.
Many are druggies who use government cheques to feed their habit and, because they refuse to get into a program with government watching them, then lose the support and are back on the street.
One guy who I clothed and gave a tent thanked me for not judging him as he CHOOSES to live like that without having to be at a job at a certain time or someone telling him what to do etc. etc.
We have both extremes: there are those who know exactly how and where to get the next meal for free, free clothing and whatever they need, and then there are
those whose pride doesn’t allow them to answer to a welfare worker and are told to go out and find work.
Through work we invited a guest speaker, (Mueller) who in his early twenties was a druggy and lived on the street. The Lord saved and healed him. (He wrote a book about it.) Him and his wife decided to start a ministry for druggies and homeless. They now run several homes. When they first started they set up a soup kitchen on the street. He said they made soup and sandwiches all night. The next day people lined up. Some came and asked what the soup was and if the sandwiches were ham or just ballony. “He let’s go to Salvation Army, their’s is better”, some guys said. His book with testimony and other experiences is very interesting indeed.
The example with the perfume seemingly wasted on Jesus shows how, whatever we do in our own understanding and not led by His Spirit…
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Very convicting article.
DJEden….I completely agree with what you wrote…balance..we all need to have balance. Not everyone is called to the streets. But everyone is called to “love their neighbor”.
James 1:27
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Thanks you Charles Faupel and Pastor Wayne. The church will simply get no where until we see by revelation from God that we must LOVE HIM FIRST. The church must get down on their collective faces before God and repents of their stinking flesh. Then welcome the means by which God puts it in a position to receive His revelation, love and power. The Church should welcome the suffering it will take to make it the true Church. 2000 years of Church history demonstrates that we simply will not receive this kind of revelation from God while we are prosperous. Until this happens, we will continue to be the joke to the world we largely are today. The world needs and will only respond to the true church. They will respond to HIS life given THROUGH us.
Meeting needs by the power of the spirit is a completely different dimension than meeting needs through the flesh. If your relationship with God is living, true ministry with REAL works will always follow. True ministry is simple: Relationship, Revelation, and Rest. it is so simple but can take much brokenness to really live out.
As long as we understand that the “poor” being referred to in both the ‘Old Testament’ and ‘New Testament’ are the poor among God’s People rather than all poor people. It is a common mistake to include the heathen/unsaved poor. The latter need the Gospel first.
Watchman….what you wrote is something that I struggle with. I used to give money to anyone I saw on the street…I would go and buy sandwiches to give to the homeless guys on the street corners. I felt I had so much (I didn’t have much) but I wanted to help someway.
But, then I heard on a Christian radio station how much some of those individuals make on the street. Especially if there is an event going on. $80-100 in a 2 to 4 hour period. Doing nothing but holding a sign. TAX FREE. I was so disturbed by that. Especially, by a man who was offered a job and turned it down because he made more money begging.
I stopped giving my money away and I stopped buying sandwiches.
What is the right thing to do?
Isa 58:6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
This seems an appropriate time and place to post what the Lord gave me about 2 weeks ago. I asked the Lord for confirmation from ‘somewhere’ as I thought the word given here quite strong. A few days later I received the Lee Grady email about a charismatic reformation. Then in the last week we have had the these comments on the latest forums that seem to echo very strongly in my heart. I don’t usually post a prophecy this early as I have a group of friends to vet and test them. I feel quite strongly I must post this here and now. This was given in one sitting and one draft and only one word was removed as it didn’t make sense. Please test. And if you do not think this the appropriate place then please forgive me.
Love to you all.
Darren
“Woe to a people who are comfortable and complacent, and who take solace from the destruction of others. You think you will prosper at the expense of your brothers; you think you will replace Jerusalem as the apple of my eye? Have I not made known my salvation to you and revealed my goodness to you, in spite of your many sins? Then why do you delight in the judgment of your brother? Why do you, in glee, lord it over the people of the circumcision group? Why do you dismiss curtly and without compassion? Surely you should be wounded if your brother is injured? Surely you should share the suffering of your brother. But you are higher than he and you think that I am with you. I charge you with callousness and I find you guilty.
You think I speak through you and yet your heart is far from me. You delight in your status and reputation and you pour scorn on your brothers. You think I am with you? No, I am not; I am against you. Remember what I did to Tyre when I punished her for all her haughty words. I pushed her into the sea, never to rise again. I am sending a dry wind from the east to test you and to sift you. Will I find faith when I come or will I find the rules and the religion of men?
To those who are comfortable: you will be comfortable no more: the rug shall be pulled out from underneath you and your many buildings will be sold to unbelievers. Your goods will be seized and your broadcasting will come to an end. I am sick of your traffic and trade. You have enslaved your fellow brothers. Did I not call them out of darkness to be my children but you have enslaved them all over again to your teachings and to you gross practices. You excuse yourself and all those exposed in public. You use grace as a cover for wickedness. Not only does this greatly grieve me but I find myself aroused and jealous for my people, the sheep of my pasture. You have interjected; you should have brought them to know me but you have brought them up in your own faith, your own kingdom.
You have not established my kingdom. Therefore I swear by myself that I am against you and I will not delay in sending this wind. It will scorch you and crack your lips, your tongue will stick to the roof of your mouth and your power of speech will be taken away from you. You shall look for relief but you will find none. You will look to the world but the world will scorn you. All who pass by you will wince at your suffering but none will lift a finger. Your tents will be emptied on the day of your wedding and your campus deserted. You were much vaunted and flirted with by the world. You drew the world into you, for the world saw itself in the mirror you held up. For a while it turned aside to see, but you will be ripped to pieces and my little ones will flood out of you as wine bursting forth from a dropped wineskin. They will escape your clutches for lush meadows and escape your reach. I will bring My People and settle them in a land far from Egypt. Once more they will call on me and I will be their Lord. The sheep of my pasture will come to me for they know me and I will gather them up in my arms. And when they walk through the desert neither their shoes nor their clothes will wear thin, for I will look over them.”
Meredith and any others that have this same delimma. I can totally relate to this situation. I don’t have an answer , except several experiences and many more “turn downs” and now just really trying to do what is right in the Lord’s eyes.
My first experience is of a “helpless/poor family”. I was driving to the store one day, and saw this family that was standing on the corner/ not even the corner but by a bus stop that was waving people on. I was on my way back home and saw this same family and knew that the bus had already come by. I passed them up and and I truly “thought’ I heard my spirit w/in direct me to stop and go back and help them. (now , I believe it could have just been a test/trial or whatever, point is, I helped out and had the right attitude about it.
I loaded the whole family in my little saturn stationwagon, and I am not being mean or tackey but the husband and wife were both extremely overweight and they had 5 kids ranging from 2 to 14.
We / my husband more than I had been doing Thanksgiving dinners to the homeless and also we did Salvation Army and other places during the holidays, and we knew about where there was room for homeless people to go, that could find jobs and have shelter. I thought I would help this family out and by the way, the family was extremely nice, and well mannered, even every child had a “christian biblical name” This was almost 7 yrs. ago and I remember to this day. They needed to go about 10 miles to the Walmart store area and they didn’t have enough money for bus fare back and to get the school items for the kids.
We talked allot on the way there and I told them where they could stay and get help and the man had a great spill of a story that I sucked right into. He and his family had stayed at several of these places, his wife found some work but (they mistreated her) and she said they were against her spiritual love for the Lord, and again , I sucked right into it—–the husband said he had such desire and even did street evangilism at times etc.etc.etc.
I gave them all a ride and dropped them off and I had other errands to run. I remember I didn’t have much , but enough to give them $20 for the rest of the school items and the bus fare home——— On my way back, I saw these people coming out of Wendy’s fast food resturant w/ so much food, (much more than for 7 people) and the biggie drinks and shakes in their hands. I let it go, and I was furious but I realized I did what I could and I am not their keeper, but I was extremely upset.
A couple of months later, I was in the same area and in the parking lot I saw this lady “hitting up ” on senior citizens. Older folks that came to shop at this store on a certain day to get double coupon value and it was right after social security checks had come .
I was SHOCKED when I saw this lady, SAME LADY, give this sob story about how she and her family needed money. Only two of the kids were w/ her and she was telling this older couple that her husband was extremely sick and they were trying to buy groceries.
I checked inside, and turned them in because they were panhandling customers. And I went to the fast food resturant and asked the manager if he knew of this woman and showed him to her , that was in the parking lot still. ————–he fired her, because she was eating the food on the job and not showing up when she was suppose to be there.
They got kicked off the property and I , not knowing better, or just having a zeal for helping others, gave her our phone # and she hit me up for their rent. —– I told them I could give them food but no money and she never called back.
—————————————————————————-
Another account is truly of a good Christian couple that were having extreme marriage problems and money problems and health problems. We gave them money and a food /dinner supply and they used it, but their house, is what they didn’t want to put on the market. A big fancy home about 4,000 s.f. and it was going into foreclosure. They wouldn’t sell any items and they gave to ministries that ended up the wrong ministries. (excessive amts) can’t blame them for that, we fell into that trap ourselves. But the couple just were not willing to let go of things. Others stepped up to help also but they used up the money and ended up going into foreclosure and hired an attny and still are living there. BUT they are now working, he is away from home for almost a yr. doing some kind of insurance work and she got a job w/ an attny. She doens’t talk to me because I told her some truths she didn’t want to hear and believed that because she had personal prophecy that she was suppose to stay in this home. ——— The prophetic words came from a group home that she was giving her morgage check to several times.
We do still give , but very sparingly and we do still try to preach as much as we can to strangers , at least giving testimony and the love of the Lord. I have given water to strangers and baked goods when I could afford it more.
Now I pass up more than I give, but we see these same panhandlers all over our big city , getting to the “best spots around”. I even was at a stop light a couple of years ago and to my dismay, I saw a woman, sitting in a wheel chair on an extremely busy city street, close to a catholic school and other private schools in the area, and to my shock I watched her take off her cast, get up from the wheel chair , fold it up and someone picked her up in a better car than mine.
Times are hard and one has to be careful , and times will get worse and we all just need to listen to the Lord as much as possible.
My husband manages to give a dollar here or there at times and always says,”The Lord is watching you and this is his money. and we give it in faith to you”————-
Don’t know if that is good or not, but we give it.
I tried to help a couple w/ a flat tire, and it was a young couple at the gas station, just recently, and the tire place was just down from the road. they needed 22 dollars to get the tire changed.I didn’t have $22 but I was going to give them what I could. I filled up my tank and was about to give them the money when I saw the young man come out w/ a big beer, and some nonsense eating (junk food) I was talking to the wife, and saw him and said “I was going to help you, but I see that you pooped off the money on non essentials” and walked away . Man, the language and fighting that couple did among themselves as the woman yelled and screamed at her husband and they took off down the street w/ the rim and no tire thread left. ———–So, all I did was pray and ask the Lord to watch over them and teach them to HIS specifications. (which He might have been doing when I tried to help. Who knows.!!
There are good people out there that need help, MANY , Many that need help, and now I stick to just giving encouragement, a kind word, or helping the widows, or elderly in the parking lot w/ their groceries or the handicapped , putting thier baskets back or helping them in their cars.
You feed them and pastor them but do you house them? Do you provide shelter? Probably not because you know how expensive it is and you know that most people are afraid to take in strangers, especially those who are indigent. You pray with them under the bridge while they lay dying? I’m confused. Why weren’t they in hospital?
We have issues other than the church being selfish. We are over regulated in this country by the government. Shelters for the homeless are so controlled and full of regulations and expensive liability insurance that most churches couldn’t begin to afford to run one. Feeding and sheltering on a daily basis is very, very costly in America. And how many folks do you know who can open their homes?
It’s a problem but it’s not just the church’s problem. Our government has made it difficult to help people. You wouldn’t believe the number of regulations and hoops one has to jump through to open a place where people will eat and sleep. And you have the issue of security for women, men, and families. You can’t have men and women in the same housing even though college campuses have co-ed housing. Families have to be housed separately. Some families have to break up to sleep because there is only singles housing available.
And some of those people who are under the bridges and in culverts refuse to go to shelters. It’s not a simple issue of the church isn’t doing enough. Although I do agree that too much money is spent on building programs to house a service and some classes a few times a week. It seems an awful waste of money. But people like to worship together, often in large groups. I myself prefer being part of a larger congregation than someone’s living room (and I’ve done both). A larger congregation pumps a whole lot more money into missions, helping the homeless, and other worthy projects than 99% of most living room churches. Probably more like 100%.
Nashville is also the home of one of the most original forms of American Music that currently exists: COUNTRY WESTERN. The CMA Ceremonies were held and published world wide and millions upon millions of dollars are made and spent in this city and the surrounding towns. Perhaps someone who plays guitar and sings could put this plight of Nashville to song much the way Jesus brought the parable
of Who is my neighbor? to the inquiring Lawyer and put the responsibility of “looking after humanity” in the context of fulfilling the 1st and most important of God’s Ten Commandments.
John and Meredith,
I work for a Mennonite Christian organization. We run Thrift Stores. In our stores 99.9% of staff are older volunteers, many of whom have come from Russian persecution, have nearly starved to death, and have watched family members and other community people shot by russian soldiers when they were young children. Many of these Mennonites miraculously escaped to North America. They work to help feed the poor. Some are already in their 90′s giving of their time and even still traveling to the Ukraine to bring container loads full of supplies to widows and orphans who, UNLIKE IN NORTH AMERICA, have NO access to any government social programs because such programs simply do not exist in many countries.
At one point these wonderful, giving volunteers at the store I manage decided to have a soup and sandwich evening for the homeless who regularly come to our store and receive free clothing, supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, tarps and the lunches from those who work at the store. Yes, we will never turn anyone away who is in desperate need, but… BUT our stores are strictly operating with donated goods we sell and therefore there is an obligation to be good stewards of what we have been given. Those who donate expect that we generate as much money as possible for their donations which are used to fund many MCC programs. (Clean water in Africa, Aids programs etc. etc. etc.see http://www.mcc.org )
So when someone asks for a warm jacket today and comes back 3 days later asking for a warm jacket… Well, a drug habit is very costly and many of these street people sell anything to get their next “fix”.
John,
I absolutely agree that people need the Gospel first and foremost. I tried to explain it to my wonderful volunteers. Someone who is well fed and clothed might still not go to Heaven, right? What does it profit a man when he gains the whole world incl. clothes, shelter and food, and then loses his soul in the end?
I have created a little card which clearly explains who Jesus is and how a person MUST get saved. People can read how He loves them, no matter where they come from and how they live. Every time someone asks for a handout I first check with His Spirit if this person is just trying to selfishly abuse our compassion,
and then with the free stuff I ask them to take my little card and please read it. I have seen many tears over time because those who are GENUINELY in need will be touched by our love and compassion and even more so by what it says on my little card about Jesus, and how He loves them even beyond the grave.
Meredith,
what you wrote somehow instantly reminded me of the Scripture about not throwing pearls before swine. I know that this sounds very harsh! And I do know many homeless people who ended up on the street because of terrible circumstances. I love them. I truly do! And I will always help them! But, BUT, there are people who are professional beggars. YES, I even read an article where someone offered to teach people (at a fee) how to make $250 a day begging. This guy said that he parks his Mercedes a few blocks away and he, of course, “dresses up” for work.
It all comes down to be led by the Holy Spirit and to have love and compassion through Jesus, and not to do what the Pharisees did, giving to the poor so they could feel good about themselves.
I have a funny feeling that two reasons why there are so many homeless in Nashville are # 1: the climate and #2: there are about 1000 churches which means there are many Christians who will give handouts.
I have found that many if not most homeless people are quite smart to find out where to get things…
But, as Mueller wrote in his book: “If you just keep giving handouts to these people you will never help them make better choices because they don’t have to. All you do is keeping them going on that destructive path.”
Yes John,
God’s people first, according to Scripture, because we will never know if someone will accept Christ, even if we spend all we have on them. There are no guarantees! More than anything, they need our prayers because they likely have no one pray for them, ever!
What good does it do to adopt 3 children from another nation and then lose my own kids to the world? We have just witnessed exactly this in our church.
We should never neglect our Christian brothers and sisters while TRYING to reach the world.
May God help us to be wise in our giving. And may the lifesaving Gospel be at the forefront of whatever we do and communicate.
Meredith,
the world (satan) tries to inflict Christians with guilt feelings when we don’t give to anyone and anything that comes our way. However, God wants us to be wise good stewards of what He has given to us. The Scriptures about the talents and pearls and swine makes it clear. (Everything comes ultimately from Him anyway!)
May we love Jesus and our Christian brothers and sisters for the world to see!
There is no better outreach than to show the unsaved world how Christians love each other!
And then, as they come and want to become part of such a wonderful loving family, then we have the confidence to say that it is truly great to be part of God’s family!
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Thank you for your insights GoodWordToday. Tonight I am sleeping over at a “SuperChurch” that has opened up it’s rooms for the homeless to feed, sleep and shower. (Beneath freezing here last night.) And I agree, MegaChurches in general have a much better chance of helping than do smaller churches.
Yes, GoodWordToday, I do house homeless people. I have brought them into my own home and generally had a positive experience. I also network with others who house the homeless, but on any given night in Nashville we have 500 beds available for 4000 men, women and children.
To be honest, I don’t know why some die unattended. Today I miss the friendship of around a dozen individuals from Nashville alone, who rolled into fires camped out alone or froze to death. Jeanie, was a dear homeless friend of mine who quietly expired on Main Street, East Nashville in 104 degree heat.
As to why they can’t get treatment, if you are in the USA perhaps you can help me. You see, I am an Australian by birth and I don’t see for the life of me why the richest nation on earth let’s it’s war vets exist in this manner. 30% of all American homeless are War Vets. And if perhaps I need be more pointed, at any given moment, there are 80 thousand children homeless in the USA.
80,000.
Most hospitals, orphanages and seats of higher learning were started during the last few centuries by Christians. George Meuller is a startling and heartwarming example of the Christian ethic turned outwards.
But that was another time – another era – another Church. It is said that St Francis of Assisi visited the Pope. The Pope opened up his treasure rooms for Assisi to see and said, “No longer can the Church say, ‘silver and gold have I none.’” to which Assisi responded, “No, and it can also no longer say, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.’ ”
In a nation where Christians spend more on toilet paper than they do on the homeless, I am confused by all the politics and arguments. So today I will go out and clothe the naked, visit those in prison and feed the hungry. That much i can do.
Watchman…(Mario)…thank you so much for the encouragement!
Beres….
In a nation where Christians spend more on toilet paper than they do on the homeless, I am confused by all the politics and arguments.
Well said.
Nicole,
you are not alone! Please read my last post.
Now here is something to consider when the devil wants to make you feel guilty about not always and automatically giving to the seemingly poor…
(btw: if you want to see truly poor people you have to leave North America)
Here is an interesting idea…
The US and Canadian governments gave BILLIONS of $’s as bailouts to large corporations, which was first of all used to honor top management and CEO contracts, paying them millions in bonuses… Your tax dollars at work!
Let’s say there are 300 mio. Us citizens. Instead of giving 7 billion $’s to large corporations in 2008/ 09 they should have given each and every US citizen 2 mio. $’s. This would have saved billions! These people would then have saved the auto industry by purchasing a car. They likely would also have bought or built a new house whereby really giving the house marked and related businesses s. a. carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc. a big boost. They would also have spent money on furnishings and vacations, which would have resulted in many job creations in those respective industries.
I’m sure you’ll be able to finish the list…
We certainly live in an evil, corrupt world! The next time you feel really bad about perhaps not giving enough, please feel free to tell yourself that, by electing politicians who, on oath, swore to deal righteously on your behalf, and by handing them thousands of dollars in taxes you are supporting programs, created to help the poor in your country. In other words, you are indeed giving to the poor!
Working with MCC I am fortunate to be able to support programs that help the TRULY poor in this world.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Sorry should have read 30 mio. Canadians…
Some say that the ssn tax is the 10% given to help the poor.
A different philosophy maybe? Help those around you. Those who are in your own family and community. Or those God puts across the path.
People in general don’t care how much or what you know until they know how much you care.
If believers are the only ones we are to help then many missionary work should have stopped before it even started.
THE STEPS
Jesus is on the steps
But the doors are closed
The homeless guy
With the muddy boots
And the runny nose
St Pauls be very ashamed
And you bankers too
His church should be at his side
The homeless hungy jew
The evil man made empire
It must burn and fall
The building with the ghosts inside
Wont be standing tall.
Dismantling walls brick by brick
Washed by the babys cry
The money lenders have crept back in
To let the poor man die.
All the screams and echoes
Rituals so dead
With all your bells
And all your smells
And your organs turned to led.
Wheres your cross and suffering
I can see your wealth
I can see your man made creeds
Filling your book shelves
Your love so yesteryear
Hang the prophets high
Where has all your love gone
Taking eyes for eyes
Voices of poets and sages
Protestors voices too
C rying from hearts which love
Closer to God than you.
It’s the sign of the times
The mail on Sunday too
Swapping hypocrisy and lies
For the way, the life, the truth.
(Eagle Spits 2011-punk poet UK)
What can i say? Above are stories of woe, poverty, despair and hopelessness, neglect. And that from folk who have access to this blog!
Where to to start?
If any of you are in a church where “tithing ” is compulsory my advise is to leave, search for a fellowship where there is no compulsion to give money, you will probably discover they are never short of funds!
This morning news reported a fund raising effort for a school in PNG and extra funds to build a chapel.
Our fellowship in PNG is big time, and the local churches build their own meeting “halls” with great gusto and enthusiasm, from local material, ideally suited for the climate, no third world funds required. Local confidence, moral, sense of achievement, God’s provision, all lifted up high, plus no indebtedness!
I believe that in many cases funding raised in the West
for third world, is often mostly spent in administration costs?
Give a man a fish and he is dependent on you, teach him to fish and he can become self sufficient
I do not mean this to be a cop out! Because it is the Lord Gods principle and plan to place “every man under his own fig tree” that is analagous to food and shelter.
This can never happen whilst the world is dominated by a totally evil Babylonian money system.
A businessman
“What do you value? I know that as a businessman, I tend to value three big things – things that will save me time, things that will save me money, and things that will make me money. If I perceive that your product or service can do any of those things well, I perceive that it has value and will buy from you.”
Herein above quote lies the problem, It matters not whom you vote for, the world is governed by greed and debt.
e.g. From http://www.christopherspenn.com/2010/05
/the-fictional-nature-of-money/ :-
“The recent stock market mini-crash (due to a trading software error) caused several indexes to lurch as much as 10% below their value in mere seconds. At one point, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 998 points. This erased as much as $1.25 trillion dollars of theoretical wealth in mere minutes. Think about that for a second. Think about how much money that would be if you had it in your bank account.
* You could send 5 million students to college for 4 years.
* You could spend a million dollars a day and not run out of money for 3,424 years.
* You could own 1,667 super-giant luxury houses.
* You could pay cash for the entire Iraq/Afghanistan war and still have a couple hundred billion left over in change.”
I have a copy of a book:
The Truth In Money Book (ISBN: 096069384X / 0-9606938-4-X:-
THOREN, Theodore R. and WARNER, Richard F.
If any one is in doubt about money, please try get a copy of this book. I watched a local politician’s career destroyed because he gave away hundreds of copies of this to his constituents.” Big fish” from Canberra, came to his backwater and campaigned against him!
Twenty one years ago, I was warned by a young journalist, during a two hour lunch, not to go public with the the contents of this book! He informed me that he would lose his job, and never be able to return to the media if he ever managed to get any if its contents printed in the local Murdoch press !
IF you can get hold of a copy. read the bit “Pluto experiment”
Is this quote below i found genuine? can anyone help?
“We have no poor houses in the Colonies, and if we had, we would have no one to put in them, as in the Colonies there is not a single unemployed man, no poor and no vagabonds.” – Benjamin Franklin’s comment to England’s Representative”.
Americans, you constitute a Great People. Blessed by God. in a beautiful ( still rich land ?) Have you been robbed and indebted, by a false money system, false religion, false democracy?
If any doubt the words of Jesus “The poor you will always have with you” Then please try to get a handle today on money, its nature and creation.
The church must give its best shot, do what it can, however due to the nature of money and man’s greed, can it ever give enough?
Should we be preaching the evils of the money system?? Well I am here!. i wonder if I shall be censored or visited. Frankly I am to close to the end my earthly life to care! Perhaps i should have started twenty one years ago?
Sadly for many i do not believe the problem will end ’till Revelation 18 is passed and Jesus returns. In the millenium, I believe, there may be banks?, but there will be no interest/usury! (To those who are bank employed, please do not chuck your job)
Sadly I know this is cold comfort to those who cry out in the posts above. For this reason the church needs modern day Josephs of Arimathea. For those who can:- “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together”. Remember to do so in secret! As Jesus also said, expecting nothing in return!
Pr Michael
Darren Sargent, what you heard or saw is correct today the Father gave me insight into this very thing of which you spoke. I am not happy about it but only want to confirm. Gary
I know I might sound selfish, but I have a hard time helping “the poor”. There is a reason many people are poor. Generally it is some form of sin. If a person is poor because of sin, it doesn’t matter how much money you give them – it will never be enough.
I do know one older lady. She is a widow and legally blind. She has several children who live out of state and are not able to be around. I have budgeted 5% of my income to help her. God wants us to help the widow and orphan and fatherless. I will give my money to help true widows and the truly disabled. But for the people who are poor due to their own bad decisions – until I see them repent, let them alone.
Maybe I sound cruel and heartless, but I voluntarily give 10% to a sound Bible teaching church, and I give a second tithe for third world missions (GFA and Voice of the Martyrs), and another 5% for a blind widow. Why should I give money to ‘poor’ people who spend their money more foolishly than I would dream of doing???
This time I’ll get it right. America is 14 trillion in debt. Just give everyone a couple of millions and that’ll take care of things and will be cheaper than anything else. It will take care of the debt and also homelessness etc., etc.
Pr. Michael, I do have a list somewhere about charitable giving, and how much is spend on administration. I keep an eye on these things because of my job with MCC, which is a charity. Many of these other, larger charities use over 80% of donated funds on administration. For example: If I remember correctly, the CEO of World Vision makes over 300,000 a year and is also given a car and a pretty big house while his kids’ schooling is paid for and everyone has extra med. insurance in his family. He also enjoys a credit card for special expenses. I forgot the amount on the card.
Anyhow, you are absolutely correct that there will always be greed and the poor will always be with us until Jesus returns. The sad thing is that there is so much greed in the church too. So many Christians haven’t fully crossed over from this life in the world to a life where, in their hearts, Heaven is truly home and life here on earth is just like camping for a while, and then we go home.
So many believers are still trying to have two Heavens, the one here on earth and then the final one with Jesus. They try to use God as the eternal vending machine where you throw in a quick prayer and out comes the blessing.
The misconception is that because Jesus is merciful and gracious he wants us to live lavishly with all the worldly comforts our flesh desires. (… while 90% of the world’s population live in poverty that is!)
I believe if our focus is Jesus, completely, He will lead us to give where and when we should. And He will also protect us from being careless stewards, or from being used. We have stopped giving to “tha Church” quite some time ago. We only give wherever God leads us to give, and I know in my spirit that those who received from Him through us really needed it and also were brought closer to Him.
I don’t care how much I give! Heaven is my true home! If God would say to me that I should take my shirt off and give it to someone, or write a $1,000 cheque, or give my car to someone, I’ll do it without any questions because I know His voice and so I can have absolute peace about it. I also know that He doesn’t need my money to do His work! HELLO!
(Any preacherman telling you that God can’t reach the world without your money given to the church is really saying: “If you don’t give your tithe I might have to get a real job, drive a smaller car, own a smaller house and can’t afford the fancy vacations any longer.”)
It is a great privilege and blessing when He whispers into my heart that I should personally pay for a customer’s stuff in my store because He tells me that this customer truly needs help. Sometimes, when a single mom in tears looks at me, wondering why I would pay for her stuff, I feel like saying no, no, I am the one who is blessed! You just don’t understand…
There is no greater joy and blessing than to be in His business!
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Sadly, things will get worse before getting better. The Christ-less churches will continue to go into perdition, & the homeless will multiply due to a world-wide judgment coming upon the earth. This judgment is coming from the Lord Himself!
America has gradually turn its back on God & forsaken His ways. Jesus said shall He find faith on earth when He returns Lk18:8.
I would encourage believers to not give up on ministering to and helping the poor, just because they may of come across a few bad apples. To paint all poor people as con artists and therefore using that to justify stopping your practical to the poor, just because of a few bad experiences with some taking advantage of others, is unfair and not right. There are many genuinely struggling poor people, and it only makes things harder for them when people automatically judge them as swindlers. Jesus didn’t say we can go around judging poor people’s motives, just to take care of them. He will deal with the rest. Personally I would rather risk being taking advantage of by a few bad apples, than risk neglecting a whole swathe of needy and poor people that Jesus has commanded me to love and take care of.
Jim, to lump all poor people as being poor because of their sin, is unkind and wrong. I can assure you, MANY poor people are poor because of OTHER people’s sin. They are not to blame.
Shalom family,
please give us the name of this ministry. We would love to help.
servants in Mexico
truthseeker…I was one of the ones who have a hard time with my giving to the poor and made a post earlier expressing my weakness. Please understand this…I in NO WAY think that all poor are swindlers, con artists or think that I am being taken advantage of by them. Please..don’t judge me in that way. I ask you please…that is NOT my heart.
But I will say this…I have felt the Lord speak to me in His sweet still small voice that the man whom I was giving money to was not benefiting from it and I was not helping him.
I also CANNOT give to the poor just to make myself feel better. It must be because the Lord has told me to. I think discernment is much needed in these circumstances. Sometimes, I think, God says “No”. That doesn’t mean that they are being judged or that they are labeled as swindlers or con artists. God just say’s ” No”. Maybe He has something better for them.
I was searching for something on YouTube and found this video that might be of interest, especially to those in Nashville.
I don’t know anything about this ministry, or even if it is still in operation. But given the report posted in the original article on this site, this video gave me cause to Praise God.
Candy Christmas’s “The Bridge Ministry”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JxKiHLuhLk
I see that Candy Christmas was interviewed by 100 Huntley Street in 2010 where she talks about her work with the homeless (plus a lot more!). The more I learn about this sister, the more I love her and the more I praise God. Listen and be blessed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHYR-cSGGfA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmpk8GLw4jY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HGjy8sm3I4&feature=related
Here is a 2011 interview with Candy Christmas. (Therefore, I suspect her ministry for the homeless is still in operation.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhdDlxfb31U&feature=related
Here is a beautiful testimony of the work that God is doing with “The Bridge Ministry.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIIz1nYmZAM&NR=1
The Lord is leading me on a journey tonight, because I keep on discovering these Candy Christmas interviews. As you can see, I’m receiving blessing upon blessing. Isn’t that God’s way?
I remember one Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class when we were studying the Book of John and we came to the verse, “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. ” (John 1:16) To illustrate the point of the verse our Teaching Leader took a box of Kleenexes and kept pulling out one Kleenex after another (until she just about went through the whole box). It was so powerful, because we all thought she could stop since we all got the point. But she just kept on talking and pulling the Kleenex out of the box, and explained to us that we cannot exhaust God’s blessings!
It is interesting that in this interview Candy Christmas talks about how God is awakening the plight of the homeless within His own people. (I know that He did this with me a few years ago. And we can see from this list that He has awakened others, as well.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=r_nX1TlaAXg
Okay, let’s be about our Father’s business! …let’s go fishing! :-)
Okay, here is the best interview yet! (Candy Christmas is here with her beautiful daughter.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EaKvN2Xv1E&feature=related
Orphans of God – Candy Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXSh3Lnw8RU&NR=1
Candy Christmas Web Site
http://www.candychristmas.com/
Bridgeministry Web Site
http://www.bridgeministry.org/
(Okay, I think this is my seventh post on this. Seven is the number of completion. …good night everyone! :-)
What a good article and wow! – what good response. When we forsook all to follow Jesus, it was to the homeless, needy and destitute that He sent us. Today, more than a decade later, we are still there but, .. .. with lots more understanding of the heart of God. It is a lonely place to work. Not much visible and measurable results. So, when operating in the flesh, one can very quickly become burned out. Critique against the Church who are not supportive of missions to the least of these, can slowly result in bitterness.
We have found it very helpful to refocus our vision. Instead of ministering to the homeless, needy and poor, we started focussing on ministering unto the Lord. It changed our target from serving the least of these, who are everywhere, to serving the King. It changed our gospel from “humanitarian’ to the gospel of the Kingdom of God. It required that we fine tuned our ears to hear the Voice of the King and walk in unconditional obedience. Today, He directs us, showing us how to avoid the abuse that can destroy your zeal, passion and love and leave you sucked dry, burnt out and faithless. Now it is awesome to see how effortless God is using us, when we are obeying Him, not only to feed and clothe many, but see their lives transformed into fellow useful vessels in service to the King. When anybody endeavours to go “minister” to the needy, it woujld be wise to initially start off by embracing the discipline of waiting on the Lord like a waiter at a table in a restaurant. We avoid burnout and failure when we serve in obedience to the King instead of trying to meet the demands of the need OR the demands of our own expectations.
Griesels:
Thank you for your incredible testimony! I have so much to learn from you. Where is your ministry? Do you have a website?
The Griesels…
Very encouraging post…thank you!
Thank you Andrew for posting this. My heart has been stirred like never before to put actions into my faith.
As a Christian Nation Christian Tax Money does feed and house the poor. If you want blood, get it from Jesus.
We proclaim our right to be a Christian Nation then except this kind of fault for not feeding and housing the poor?
This is just another ploy of Preachers to Collect Money.
Now that funds from The False Tithe Doctrine is drying up.
Hey, they got to keep their ministry going with your money some how….
The Griesels wrote:
Critique against the Church who are not supportive of missions to “the least of these”, can slowly result in bitterness.
Just to clarify…
The Scripture in Matthew where Jesus is judging and separating the goats and sheep, “the least of these” He refers to as HIS BROTHERS, which seems to indicate that they are Christians.
I wonder how many single moms, struggling older folks and jobless people with families there are in the church?
Jesus COMMANDED to “love one another”.
The absolutely best tool for evangelism is when God’s people love each other and take care of each other in such a way that everyone outside of the church becomes jealous and wants to be part of it.
It is good to clean someones house, but it is better to clean ones own house first.
When your heart is clean then your motives will be clean also. A clean heart that is led by His Holy Spirit will accomplish much for His Glory.
Blessings,
Mario
Let us never harden our hearts towards those in need, but let’s always be led by Him, His Holy Spirit, for His Glory!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPGA7b0sd_s
Be blessed,
Mario
In 2003 the Lord took me away in the Spirit and ahead in time to see the coming Holy Apostolic remnant in America. They were exceedingly beautiful, men and women, and they all had Eyes like Jesus, with Shekinah Glory shining through.
They were preparing for a mission, and each had a part, as they moved about to prepare their part.
The scene then changed, and I saw millions of Americans trudging along in columns that reminded me of Dresden Germany when we bombed her, Men with dirty suits trudged along, HOMELESS, walking very depressed along, with their families.
The voice of the Lord permeated every fiber of the vision as I watched.
“THE END OF THE AMERICAN DREAM !”……and then the scene changed…and I realized I was looking on another company during the same time…and that these were all blacks and minorities…and they were not just depressed, but ANGER would be the nature of their emotions. The vision yet spoke of THE END OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
I also knew, and prophesied that this would be the result of a GREED MORTGAGE CRAZE, and that the end of the American dream, would be that; the end, and never to rise again.
Actually, this judgment would be the sign of the more important event….THE COMING APOSTOLIC COMPANY to America, When we see several million homeless in America, with many or most coming out of the middle class, we would also see this End-time Holy Body.
http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/bbpress/topic/2423
It is beginning to come to pass. One of the things that struck me after the Vision ended, was that this event would not only spark the advent of a true Holy and sacrificial Spirit within the Church of an authentic apostolic nature, but it would manifest a holy Division of the true gospel, and that lying gospel so promoted in the SELFISH Church that lives only for her own prosperity and happiness.
This church is monumental in America…and by far the vast majority of Churches here. I felt that this would be as “THE RISE AND FALL OF MANY.”…as the mandate of God to His own is; “As much as you have done to these; THE LEAST OF MY BROTHERS!….you have done unto me.
Those who refuse to lay down their lives, their homes and their wallets and bank accounts, to these suffering masses, will be guilty of not rightly discerning the body of the Lord, and will be found guilty. This, along with lying, was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira…who refused to do so with a pure heart.
This may even result in some who have lived in this bless me culture to the losing of their souls. Remember the foolish virgins.
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.
Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”.
“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “..Foolish Virgin?
YOU ONLY GET TO KEEP WHAT YOU GIVE AWAY, AND HERE, AND ONLY HERE, IN THE LAYING DOWN OF YOUR OWN LIFE, IS WHERE THE OIL FOR YOUR LAMPS DWELLS!
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come! ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ”
EVER SEE HOMELESS PEOPLE LIKE THIS??..Hungry, thirsty, dirty, and in need of taken in?..By nature, this defines them to the T.
Ever wonder what Jesus thinks about those who refuse to lay down their selfish trip?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal”
This is serious business now descending upon the Earth, and whether you decide to honor and enrich yourself, or the homeless poor now descending upon us…in the Spirit and wisdom of Jesus’s heart, may decide whether you will be saved, or damned.
Awesome article. If those 1,000 fellowships (there is only ONE CHURCH worldwide which is Christ’s body being fractured with denominationalism, tax exemption status seeker hirelings, political podiums in disguise)…..would each take in 400 into their edifices to warm and shelter them at least, not even counting food….it would be a blessing to them. It says in the WORD that true religion undefiled is to visit the orphan and the widow in their affliction. To bind up the broken hearted, the feed the hungry, clothe the naked, preach the gospel. Instead we have entertainment oriented agendas and programs within the Church which seeks membership without regeneration in souls. It is a travesty and there will be a reckoning for this. It appears much like Elvis, Christ has left the building(s)!!!!!
The Church must go OUT and be vocal and in the streets like the first century Church of the New Covenant. It is going to be a radical, practical, bold and miracle backed Church, purified by the Refiner’s fire. No more churchianity for these last days. We need to get out from “having a form of religion, but denying the power thereof”. 2 Timothy Chapter 3 Ananias and Sapphiras will fall dead in these last days….and the fear of the Lord WILL be restored. AMEN…and Amen, Lord have mercy on us and quicken your Word, AMEN Anyone homeless that wants to get in touch with me can post me at emileene@gmail.com to see if we can meet in east Tennessee.
We are told by God to follow true religion and our Lord described it as looking after widows and orphans IN THEIR NEED and keeping ourselves unspotted by the world.
We are covered in worldly spots and neglect the needs of widows and orphans.
Now,tell me that God is not going to judge the church first as some seem to deny.
The Lord gave this to me in April of this year..
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/oldchurch.jpg/
I saw an old Church. The kind that doubled as a schoolhouse. It was white, but worn down. There were very few people inside the church. I saw a thin suitcase bomb under one of the pews. My view changed to being outside looking at the doors. I did not hear an explosion, but all the sudden, in slow motion, the church turned to a pile of ashes that fell to the ground. There wasn’t a fire, or wood pieces anywhere. Just ashes. End
The Lord gave me these scriptures and word beneath each to post with this vision:
Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Isa 9:3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
The shephards have preached and spoken the truth to My People, and have brought them out of a gross darkness, but have not kept to the True Way, and have divided the spoil of My People amongst themselves.
Isa 9:8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Isa 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
Isa 9:10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
Isa 9:11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
Isa 9:12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isa 9:13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
Isa 9:14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
Isa 9:15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
This that was prophesied over Israel, is fitting for the church and the shepherds in this hour. The prophets that have lead My People astray will be cut off. BUT will the people repent and turn from their ways. Will they seek Me, and who will lead them back to the Throne of Grace. Who will speak the TRUE Gospel unto them. The false prophets and false shepherds will then build their foundation upon the cedars. The false will become an abomination unto Me. Their end is written in the Book of Life.
Isa 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Isa 9:17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isa 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
Isa 9:19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
Isa 9:20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
My hand is stretched out still, and will be stretched out. I HAVE NO JOY IN THESE PEOPLE. I HAVE NO JOY IN YOUR SACRIFICES TO DEVILS AND DEMONS. These things are an abomination unto Me. I have no joy in these leaders who have lead MY PEOPLE astray with their lofty words, and evil intentions of greed. EVERY mouth speaketh folly. So, wickedness will be unleashed, and it will burn, and it will consume until there is but ashes. But then, what as I able to do with ashes? Is this truly an evil act to turn a people over to the wickedness that burns thoroughly? This:
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
This is what I can do! When I hear MY PEOPLE mourn, when I see them grieve over their sin of going astray, THEN I will make beauty for ashes, I will give them the oil of JOY for their mourning, and the garment of PRAISE for their heaviness. THEY will be called righteous, they will be called MY PLANTING, AND I WILL BE GLORIFIED.
This IS for the Bride of Christ. This word is spoken in scripture over Israel, My NATION, but is spoken in this hour over the BRIDE OF CHRIST. Come back to your first love, come back to the ONE who died for you. Do not tarry, for the hour is late.
The whirlwind is coming, but even within the whirlwind, I WILL save you if you would only come to Me in repentance. If you would only come to Me, I would gather you into the shelter of MY wings, and would provide for you. Do not seek provision from another god who is NOT ME. I would provide, I would protect, if only you would come back to Me as you did at first.
This is the reason for the ashes. This is what the vision is about. YOUR god that you have been chasing is the bomb that will render you to dust. I AM able to fashion you again, but are you willing. Will you be willing, or will you see Me as evil and turn even farther away, to your own destruction?. The choice is yours, My children. Choose you this day, life or death.
“the least of these My Brethern”
Jesus told His Disciples to wash one another’s feet.
Not the world’s feet.
The New Testament Churches shared everything in common with each other. Not the world. But with believers.
Is.58 in The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible from the Hebrew:
God Is Talking About His People, their Workers of their own ‘Flesh’. (brethern) These are the ones who they were to loosen their bonds and yoke and feed the hungry of. – Is.5:8:1,3,7
I worked with Beres, an Australian pastor, while living in Nashville. It’s good to see this article from him.
Nashville was a very hard place to live, spiritual atmosphere-wise. I agree that it’s good for the world to see the true state of the churches so they can receive the Grace that is manifest among God’s People when it manifests. Where sin abounds, Grace abounds much more.
Who did Jesus feed? Wonder if those 3000, and 5000 plus were all believers.
Imagine trying to tell someone about Jesus who is hungry or cold. Can’t see them actually listening until they were relieved their immediate needs.
And how exactly will we know who the Father has called to come to Christ if we do not actually try.
lots have been said above and little had been done. if you want to change that, put faith into action, first read my posts as above and them email me on gziz.frique at gmail.com
How I am touched to see the vibrant discussion set off by my original comment.
I never asked for this ministry – all I did was ask Father to help me see others through his eyes, hear others through his ears, and love others through me. Then one day I was driving not far away from my home, when I saw some homeless men gathered around a 50 gallon drum with a fire in it. I invited them back home where I fixed them a warm meal.
That was 5 years ago.
I will post my email at the end for those who sense God calling them to work in this area.
But my heart says to tell you this;
Step 1;
Wherever you are, find one homeless person, (if you are not sure how to, ask me),
Step 2;
love them.
That’s all!
And to a homeless person, feeling as though he/she actually matters is at the top of the list, generally speaking. So to love a homeless person, all you have to do is listen.
If you want to bless them in other ways, fine, but you love them when you listen.
While you are listening to them, tell the Holy Spirit that you want to hear His voice.
Who knows? Instead of paying huge sums of money and chasing down books, tapes, and seminars, this may well be the best and quickest way to really learn to know the voice of the Spirit of God. Jesus said, “The poor will always be with you”. So the good news is that you are never going to run out of practice material. ;)
Will some hit you up for some cash and spend it differently than you would? Sure! But since when were you or I the ever-perfect steward? If God moves me to give, I leave the worry about the outcomes to Him. We sing “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way” but it can be a little harder to practice it , no?
I am not called to press my morality, doctrine, ism or structured belief system on anybody. I am called to love. If logic and morality were the key, the world might have been won to Christ centuries ago. But to love someone, I must needs give myself to them, even if it only means listening. I have been blessed to see more people drawn to the Lord through this than through all the rest of my efforts in years gone by.
The last and in some ways, the most important thing I think I can suggest is this. You can start this just where you are.
Come to Nashville if you wish, but I say, – do it where you are!
You don’t have to join any organization, pay any dues, or change anything else you are doing. Simply, find a homeless person and love them.
To find a homeless person, either call your local police, homeless associations, or myself.
I know my Father’s heart enough to say that you will never again lack for excitement, more love coming back at you than you can handle, an endless repertoire of first hand stories about Father’s works and ways, and the irreplaceable, unmistakeable, and accelerated experience of God’s love, provision, friendship and guidance.
If we all just love the unlovable where we find them, others may see Jesus in us, and say like they did of Enoch, he/she walked with God.
Loved by Him,
Beres Bartlett
beresbart@gmail.com
Jesus fed 3,000 to 5,000 Who Were Following Him.
They Had Not Been Promised Food. They became hungry.
After following Him to a remote place where there was no food!
Jesus did not go out looking for hungry people to feed.
To see if they would then follow Him.
Believe Scripture. -
My Pastor actually preached AGAINST TITHING a couple of months ago! He said His God was not a pauper – that everything is His – and He doesn’t need our money (whether tithes or loose change/tips)!
My Pastor has taught us that the paying of tithes in the O.T. was equivalent to us paying our taxes today (as the priests that were paid tithes were responsible for running the towns, cities and the country). So we do not need to pay tithes (as we pay income tax, and V.A.T., etc. etc.).
My Pastor has actually taught us to pay our own way, get out of debt, work if we are fit and able to do so, and help each other as much as we can. By loving each other practically, the world can see tangible proof that the love of God abides in us – which is the complete opposite to this gimme gimme selfish worldview that persists! The N.T. says ‘do good to all men, especially those who are of the household of faith’. I’m not advocating the practise of secular humanism here. What I am saying is that we should take the view that everything we have belongs to the Lord, and we should be willing to share what we have, as and when the Lord prompts us to, or as we see the need clearly for ourselves. Surely this is walking in the light?
I’m fed up of this “sow into my ministry and God will bless you 100-fold” deception!
Let’s get back to the basics of loving each other and reaching out to those in need that come across our path in our daily lives. Let’s bring the Kingdom of God to where we are (and not build the kingdom of man).
Blessings, Raheli. xxx
Throwing discernment out the window is not wise either. However, saying to only help those who are believers is not keeping to the character of God.
Luk 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
Luk 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
There have been times where the Lord has not allowed us to pick up that person walking in a snow storm. And times that He has allowed us to help the guy on the corner. This is where prayer is essential.
There are no coincidences in life if the life has been given to the Lord. Every single person coming along the path is for a reason. Either to help in spiritual things, or physical needs. Sometimes the surprise is, the Lord sent them to you for the same reasons. Even if they are unbelievers.
If God is God through the Old and New Test, then this would apply..
Pro 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Easier said than done!
A further request to all men of the cloth: please refrain from using titles such as pastor, reverend, etc. It goes directly against Jesus’ own command. It also elevates you to a position of lording over us, which the Bible specifically prohibits. If I must call you Pastor, then please call me Sir. or Prince as that is who I am in Jesus!
pastor, apostle, prophet – these are functions and not ranks! especially those who got hurt in church are offended by the many titles and object to being lorded over. if you want to heal people, remove your insignia first as it is a barrier between us and christ. you may be blocking His way. I say this in love and pray it will be appreciated as such.
while saying this, my family and I have been hurt many, many times over in the most indescribable ways by christians and pastors. we went through LITERAL/PHYSICAL abuse and persecution for years. we cannot act and reason like the average person as we still are recuperating in ICU. don’t expect from us to reason like the average church goer.
I have been involved in Street ministry much, some “full time”, and locally, and nationally, especially to the Rainbow Tribe gatherings..where 30,000 or so gather yearly around the fourth of July. They are all homeless.
I have seen many saved, and delivered, not counting the seeds sown, or the watering done. I have also seen the satanic manipulators, witches, drug feigns and alcoholic thugs, and many demonic God haters in their midst.
I came very close twice to being murdered. I have taken the homeless into my home, several times, and supported them…those who acknowledged Christ. I also headed up a men’s home, that did the same.
I am not afraid, nor do I suggest that we should fear, but we are called to minister and live the Gospel, as we are led by the Spirit. Many homeless people enjoy being without employment, a house and the comfort and responsibility of keeping a job and such. They would never trade their lives for yours…ever.
The Roman Catholics probably do more work in this area than anyone, as their traditions demand it. Mother Teresa was committed to the same idea, the Homeless.[ She would not convert them, nor preach Jesus, out of dignity's sake....Not good..]
Jesus said; “The poor you will have with you always!”..in response to Judas. Ministry to the poor is not necessarily of God. It may be, as you are led, but you certainly cannot earn any points with God doing so. It is the ministry of The Gospel, and the Salvation of God, as we live in the Holy Spirit, bringing Jesus to the lost, that he honors.
Paul, THE APOSTLE to the Gentiles…that is the entire Earth who is not Hebrew!!…never once spoke of any ministry to the homeless. He did however, speak of ministry within those who were born again.
IF ANY MAN DOES NOT WORK, HE SHALL NOT EAT!…..and to the widows and orphans..innocent victims, beginning with the house of God. To these, he gave, and that was with restrictions, at least to the widows.It was not just a dole; holiness was involved.
Here-in is the rub. James makes it very clear about brothers and sisters in need….probably through no fault of their own. Can we say be warmed and be filled?…and move on?
At your own peril. It is forbidden by God to do so. We must lay our lives down for the Holy Church..and we must be led by God to give. The Gospel is paramount…and the salvation of the Lost. This is above everything in the Mercy realm. Live a life of mercy toward the World, and do as your led…..but if a man gains the world, and loses his soul, what does it profit him?
Yikes! Do I? Don’t I? Do I? Don’t I?
Beres…your words are so incredibly encouraging filled with love for the homeless and hungry. I can see why Paul said to some in the bible that he “Thank(s) God for you all the time and pray for you. While praying to God our Father, we always remember your work of faith and your acts of love and your hope that never gives up in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1thess 1:2
thomas.watkins…I hear you and what you say…makes sense but I need to do more study to see if that is what God says of me. When you say this…
“Jesus said; “The poor you will have with you always!”..in response to Judas. Ministry to the poor is not necessarily of God. It may be, as you are led, but you certainly cannot earn any points with God doing so. It is the ministry of The Gospel, and the Salvation of God, as we live in the Holy Spirit, bringing Jesus to the lost, that he honors.”
This makes me pause a moment…not that I don’t feel there is truth there and I sure know that I won’t earn any points..but I wonder if honoring loving the poor and homeless or hurt he does not honor? I may have completely misunderstood you.
I’m reminded of this story told by Jesus…
Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version)
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Luke 10:25-37 NIV
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
When I see homeless, hurting and lost I always think of this parable. They’ve been beaten up and left by the road by the world and that’s being a ‘good neighbor’ and inheriting eternal life..showing them love. Jesus commands us to love our neighbors and it shows that there needs were attended to as well.
I think God honors that. Now I know all ya’ll bible make-sure-I-have-it-interpreted-correctly will tell me that that was for the Jews..which means we are only called to that in our own house or something like that. But! I think it was said for all mankind.
( yikes..my editing and spelling were horrid in that…sorry bout that)
@Thomas Watkins. please do not teach untruths but quote straight from the Word. The word teaches that those who do not WANT to work should not eat.
So, my dear brother, many think like you because they act on hearsay and certainly not in love, either. Read of my plight above and see that there are scores who cannot GET a job and that their poverty is NOT based upon (their) sin.
God had sent me into the homes of His supposed people for ten years, totally against my will, to test them as in Jer 6;27. I can bring to you various Muslims and Buddhists who were Christians but turned away from God simply because of people displaying the same unscriptural views as quoted by you. In stretching the meaning of 2 Thess 3:10 in the way you do, you are going about the Bible dishonestly to cover for your own lack of love and xian responsibility. go read that verse again and seize every opportunity to bear the burden of a less fortunate brother or sister in faith. Your deed of love may very well be what keeps them from failing and falling away.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 says that those who do not WANT to work, should not eat.
don’t misquote the bible to condone our own unloving lack of responsibility towards our brethren who may be less fortunate.
it is not sin that made them poor. God made some poor to test YOUR hearts!
For the record, I have lifted the veil on my own plight up above. yet all i see is arguing and endless teaching. has anyone reached out to me in my dire need? no, but there are 88 comments teaching how others should do it!! and this is the problem!!!!!!!! too much talk and no deeds.
I quote from above: Here-in is the rub. James makes it very clear about brothers and sisters in need….probably through no fault of their own. Can we say be warmed and be filled?…and move on?
be warmed and be filled?…and move on?…….this is exactly what I have come to expeience from Xians. if it weren’t for Muslims and Buddhists, where would my family have been? new Agers, atheists do what Xians should have been doing.
any further posts BEFORE any such poster had lifted a finger to help someone in need, will be a disgrace to God. this forum is about reivival and the bulk of posters as above are far from that. to anyone saying one should not help the poor and needy, MAY GOD IN THIS NIGHT TAKE AWAY YOUR WEALTH AND PLACE YOU AT MERCY OF CHRISTIANS JUST LIKE YOURSELF! LORD JESUS, DO THIS, PURIFY YOUR HOME FROM FALSE TEACHERS WHO OPPOSE YOUR LABOUR OF LOVE. TAKE AWAY WHAT THEY HAVE, LORD, AND OUT THEM WHERE I AM, WHICH IS AT THEIR MERCY. LET THEM FEEL COLD TO THE BONE MARROW, WET RIGHT THROUGH, REJECTED BY ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY, OUSTED FROM CHURCH AND SHUNNED BY THE SAINTS, AS WE ARE. LET THEM FEEL WHAT IT IS LIKE AND LET US SEE IF THEY WILL STILL SING YOUR PRAISES, LORD! LORD JESUS, SEPARATE THE KERNELS FROM THE CHAFF AND CLEAN YOU SANCTUARY FROM THE SELFISH AND UNLOVING WHO CLAIM TO BE YOUR FLOCK BUT ARE FROM THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN!! LORD JESUS, TAKE AWAY THIS EVIL FROM YOUR CHURCH AND BURN IT WITH YOUR HOLY FIRE AS IT IS HERESY TO GO AROUND BEING CHRISTIAN. THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR TRUE REVIVAL AND THANK YOU THAT IT WILL COME TO THOSE ON THE PARK BENCH WELL BEFORE IT WILL REACH SHRINES FULL OF CORPSES STACK TO THE ROOF!! THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANSWERING MY PRAYER, THANK YOU FOR HAVING HEARD MY CRIES OF DESPERATION AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY LOVELESS ENEMIES AWAY FROM ME. AMEN.
I have enrolled in the Ames program this week but doubt I can see it through. Various heart attacks and strokes in the past had left me in bad health. Yesterday, while alone at home, I had two severe heart cramps, brought on by emotional pain when a family across the passage were evicted. There were two toddlers who had to go out in the rain, with NOWHERE to go to. We live in a home where we rent one of seven rooms on a day to day basis, which is killing us as it is very expensive. we just cannot scrape together a deposit and a month’s rent in advance, so we have to earn money during the day so we can stay by night. Our 19-year old son shares the room with us.
There are a great number of churches around us, yet none are prepared to help any of the dysfunctional families and it is not the first time that children get sent onto the street in the rain. Our ward councillor, for instance. was elected to serve the community but she has proven herself to be worthless and aloof. She is too much of a coward to get face to face with the problems in her constituency. Her party boasts being the answer to the problem of the ruling Marxist regime, yet they are more guilty of things they accuse the communists of – and they consist mainly of practising Christians!
After a botched back operation 17 years ago, I was retired but without a monthly pension about 12 years ago and had to survive without an income in a country where my race is being ruled out of the employment market by discriminatory laws. It is only for the past two years that the state doctors had labelled me as permanently disabled in order to allow me a disability grant of roughly US$140 per month. Our room alone costs $25 per DAY!
For years I have tried making money in the commodities trading markets as I have excellent contacts both on buyer and suppliers side, but with no means of travelling to close deals. I did not even have a computer and had walked long distances, often in severe pain and exposed to raging winter storms, getting wet right through, then having to enter a 2-man tent and trying to get changed in something damp though not dripping wet. At night, with no lights!
There were various Christians who had offered me access to a computer but it seldom materialised. Yet it was a former prostitute, now a beautifully reborn Christian, who had sent me her old laptop with which I managed to complete my WBS bible school studies recently. it was with this computer and after having put up a brave fight, making myself hated by the authorities in the process, that I had fought for the white lady in Kalofong hospital a thousand miles away. She was being neglected and, at some point in time, maggots were eating away at her wounds after surgery. It was me who had lobbied over Easter weekend this year and had the press and politicians in her region act and rescued her. It was also me who had managed to find a new life for a young dad and his two toddlers, when evicted from the house we live in. It was my lady friend who had given me the laptop, who had find the solutions and effected the relief whilst being very poor herself.
Empowered to the barest minimum, we did change lives when a great number of churches had failed to act. It was the Muslim community who had brought that family food, in abundance.
During our plight while we had been living in the bushes or in tiny rented rooms in questionable “guest houses”, we were asked by our church fellowship to resign as we had “too much faith” for them! Too much faith for a church group??? What is Christianity about? We found ourselves over qualified for church and left it permanently with no intent to return, ever.
We did not ask for alms from our wealthy relatives but were warned not to even try, regardless. There is a number of houses standing empty, fully furnished but we have to fight for having a roof over our heads. During the past week, my wife’s blood was rejected by the Blood Transfusion services who usually call and ask her to donate as she has a scarce blood type. We don’t sell blood in my country; we donate it for free. The “vampires” as we call them, said her blood levels were dangerously low and have referred her to the state doctors for treatment. Yet she still has to work seven days a week, making jewellery and selling it from door to door.
A Buddhist lady brought a pheromone collar band for our tabby cat who is a bit hyperactive and aggressive; she has donated lots of cat food in the past and had our cats and the neighbour’s neutered/spayed at her cost, with not a cent asked from us. She brought the collar band yesterday but also packed a gift bag with chick peas, curry, chocolates, quince jelly, etc. A real treat and there also were home made glycerine soaps that my wife can indulge in. Earlier the same day, a Muslim lady brought us some veggies and grocery items. All in all, we have received food for a week which takes lots of strain off my wife.
While our Christian friends slander Muslims, I could send an email to a Muslim friend and he would be angry because I have never told him of my plight. In fact, I have been avoiding him simply because asking him for help would mean that I would be putting Jesus to shame. For roughly a decade, God had sent us in amongst proclaiming Christians to test their ways in terms of Jeremiah 6:27. Instead of recognizing our need as fellow disciples, they wanted to make PROFIT from us! they were X-rayed and found to be empty inside.
We have suffered much at the hand of the “true disciples” and less so at the hand of the traditional “temple-goers.” In fact, the ONLY Christian comfort came from Father Andrew of the Roman catholic church in Fish Hoek.
I am partnered with a lady abroad, who suffers in a similar way, whilst being surrounded by Christians. Her sacrifice for the sake of the Lord is immense. when she presented me with a financial solution for my region, a certain politician called the Botox Bitch by street dwellers, refused to even read the offfer or grant me an audience of ten minutes. by the time I had found inroads into our Presidency, it was too late as the offer had by then expired.
Christianity should stop judging those outside and we should start cleaning house from the inside. 1 Cor 5 doesn’t exist in the Christian Bible.
The Buddhist lady left Christianity because of what she had endured in Church; here in cape Town, I am ministering towards former Christians who had become Muslims at the hand of the delectable Charismaniacs.
My own persecution and that of my son, at least equal that of Paul, with the difference that it comes from the “disciples!!!” I have become an abrasive, irate man who wants to nuke every pushing pastor into hell the same way Ernst Ainsley pushes people over on my TV. I am so sick and tired of false priests. we have one here that is a celebrity on “Christian radio” but the police sees him as a Satanist. The haughty English Christians in Cape Town allow him on the very same “Christian”radio that teaches people to accept the 666 chip implant!!!
There is a cancerous growth that will infect every newcomer. Maybe Opus Dei isn’t a bad idea after all…..??
No true Christian would ever advocate to be like those who, uncaringly, walked passed a person in need in the story of the good Samaritan.
Of course, we should always help someone in need!
However, when we look at the church what do we see?
Disunity and internal struggle are satan’s obviously great tools to render the church ineffective.
To reach out as the branches of a tree is a good thing, but the branches must be strongly attached to the tree-trunk who grew from the roots, which came from the seed.
We have a family in our church who took in several children. Meanwhile their own kids (young teens) have been ambushed by the world (satan) and gotten into drugs etc. We can get so focused and busy on running out to look who we should help that we don’t notice how the devil sneaks into our own house.
Jesus did not run out to look for the poor, instead they came to Him!
Perhaps, if the church would look like Jesus, we wouldn’t have to go out looking for the poor either, instead they would come to us too?
I knew a wonderful Christian couple. They came into my store to buy blankets for the homeless. They were setting up a soup kitchen on a street corner, handing out these blankets and other things. They did this for about 3 years.
This couple now is divorced. He still goes to church and she apparently has found a “new” guy.
If a house is not build on a good foundation…, or better, if a garden is not well watered and constantly CONSTANTLY kept free from the weeds (think spiritual) that try to choke and destroy, guess what…
There is a battle going on folks, and it is invisible, spiritual! How can a church that is so scattered and in need of a doctor go out and be the doctor to the unsaved? The devil is not a fool! John, in Revelation, tells us that he is FULL of wisdom!
What good does it do to run after opportunities to help others while losing my marriage or my kids to the devil? How would that minister to the world around me?
Again, I am NOT saying that we should ignore someone in need! And I absolutely am aware that God can call you today to go out a feed the homeless AS YOUR CALLING! That is beautiful and a great blessing when He calls you! And then He will also empower you to share the TRUE FOOD of the Gospel.
Remember: Food and clothing does not get someone into Heaven! These are just tools to get someones attention for what really matters, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Please look at God’s people, His church with open eyes. Are there single moms who can barely pay their bills? Are there jobless brothers and sisters? Are there those who might soon lose their home because they can’t pay their mortgage?
Are there brothers and sisters that are lonely?
How can a church that is so scattered and in need of a doctor go out and be the doctor to the unsaved?
How can a carpenter whose house is falling apart offer to fix or build mine?
The absolutely best tool for evangelism is when God’s people love each other and take care of each other in such a way that everyone outside of the church becomes jealous and wants to be part of it.
It is good to clean someones house, but it is better to clean ones own house first.
When our hearts are clean and filled with His love then your motives will be clean also. A clean heart that is led by His Holy Spirit will accomplish much for His Glory.
We must have wisdom, which brings balance. We should not be deceived, walking in our own understanding (false humility, trying to gain His love and approval through what we do, etc., etc.)
May we be wise and compassionate, always led by His Spirit to do whatever HE commands.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
I agree. It is sad. I also work with the homeless and have also found that many do not want God. Many are there because they do not want to submit to Christ. I think putting all the blame on the church isn’t right. We are in the end time lawlessness that Jesus spoke about. I think our money and time and efforts would be better used in India, China, and where there is more hunger. Many of the homeless I work with will quote scripture and know much about God but they won’t repent. Lord Jesus come quickly.
What is certain is that we ARE all called to ministry to the poor. Jesus made this very clear.
BUT – the “orphans and widows” are a certain “type” of poor. They are helpless and have been made poor by “calamity” – not by sin or their own bad choices.
I have done a lot of work with the homeless. Many are poor thru drugs and alcohol. On the other hand, there are growing numbers losing everything for other reasons.
Feeding the hungry and visiting prisons is totally valid and important. I still believe in ministry to the homeless.
Bless you!
Andrew Strom.
This morning I saw a picture in my mind of a Christian standing outside a church gathering with his Bible, which to him seemed like a rulebook. Then someone walked over to him and handed him a burning torch.
Satan does not personally come to the church, wearing horns and a tail. Instead, he is a great copycat. He uses people inside the church to destroy, just as God uses people to build.
Meredith,
He knows your heart and your desire to do His will. Your posts are filled with your love for Him.
“What to do…?”, you ask.
Years ago, when I was quite a bit younger in my walk with Him, a strong sense of guilt slowly crept into my life. I finally prayed about it, asking Jesus if I am doing what I am supposed to do, and if He was pleased with me, or if I am missing the mark and dishonouring Him?
His answer began with a question: “Mario, you know that I most of all look at your heart, right? Tell me, what is your heart like?” “Lord, You know my heart, nothing is hidden from You! I love You and want to please You with my life.” “Yes, I see your heart. You are doing just fine. Keep following me and have peace.”
Meredith,
This is His promise to you that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Just trust Him to direct your every step as you walk closely with Him.
Peace be with you!
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
I have been to India multiple times to minister to the “, the untouchables, the “Dalit” class; and China too. The lepers and beggars …and have seen them by the hundreds of thousands. There are 10s of millions that are homeless there.
I have seen real salvation, and real graft in the so-called ministry.There may be validity in the ministry to the poor; and it may be nothing less than a social program or just a religious activity. God looks upon the heart, not our stated religious intentions.
I’ll bet many of the early church came out of this class. I did, as a wandering hippie type in 1972, and again in 2001, wandering about with nothing but bags..and no-one wanting me, except Jesus. Here you can feel the fear in their eyes, as the religious and rich look upon you with suspicion, and you expect more. ..[ I was over 50 years old in 2001..]
This occurred in my life without sin on my part, and involved a total rejection of me by those who knew better.I did not become bitter, or resentful. I went on with God.
My suggestion to those of you who desire a real ministry to the homeless…is to take a family in your home, and just love them…and restore them in Christ…or lead them to the Lord. It may give you a better idea of love than showing up at a rally and talking behind a mike, or handing out hot dogs…[ though this may help. ]
This cuts through to what love is, and also points to where we are heading. My home is open to the Lord…and I do not come under condemnation at all for what I do allow, or do not, because God is my judge, and it is Him I please anyway.
We are to give alms, and when we do, it is to be in secret; and more importantly, we are to give alms, and to lay our life down for the weak BROTHER OR SISTER, as unto
Jesus Himself.
As I said earlier, it never seemed the main focus of the Apostles to do so, but to the church, it became a bigger issue. There were definitely standards required among those born again and the impoverished widows of holiness and dedication to Jesus. Some were NOT supported that desired it.
There is coming a dearth upon the land, as the End of The American Dream is upon us. There will be millions and millions of homeless upon us, and many will be actual Christians with no way out…..no way out, and it will be the responsibility of the true believer to scoop them up as a lost son or daughter, as Jesus would.
Many will fall or rise as they make a choice in this coming trial.
Andrew, the real issue here is that charity should first be directed towards fellow believers. Many people post here about the general pauper state out there but the love should be shown to the brethren in faith first. And what irritates me endlessly – because I was made poor by God to test His people – is to see the hardening of hearts towards fellow believers and millions of dollars going to people who will never care a hoot for Jesus.
People who say those who don’t work should not eat, are doing the most damage. Their slogan is not what the Bible teaches yet they live and die by that motto. the bible actually says that those who DO NOT WANT TO WORK should also not eat.
i am dealing with people who had become Muslims or Buddhists because of the lack of love displayed by the church. Just read the columns above and see what i am talking about. if the church does not even know to love its own, how false is the love they pretend to have for others?
I have already been reprimanded for my ‘tone’ – but perhaps the tone is something that had come with being endlessly tired and frustrated. frustrated with a general christianity that read the bible upside down and the result is them living inverted.
we cannot have revival whilst people still utter insane things as seen on some of these pages. I came here as I have received rather excellent newsletters for a few months now. the mess I came to find on these pages was a great shock to me. people still involved with kundalini, or who are following prosperity teachers and false idols alike; communicating with the dead, etc.
I have expected a place of union and love but found a lot of confrontational posts and utterances from people who don’t have the slightest idea of what true christianity is about. the problem is that they teach and not listen. i am badly disappointed with what i had found here.
Watchman…”Thank you.” :0)
“You will be my witnesses” That’s what God says to us.
Do we witness?We may share the gospel but do we witness?
a witness produces evidence.We witness in what we do,in our attitudes not merely what we say.
Do we have the essence of Jesus about us.Do people think of Jesus when they get to know us?
Meredith, i wanted to thank you for your input on the other thread (now closed) – bless you, I appreciated it!
Mum…
Bless you sis!
I can just say, “Amen” to most of that. The missionaries my church supports, however, do share the gospel of The Kingdom around the world. For Real.
Thomas Watkins wrote, concerning the American future:
There is coming a dearth upon the land, as the End of The American Dream is upon us. There will be millions and millions of homeless upon us, and many will be actual Christians with no way out…..no way out, and it will be the responsibility of the true believer to scoop them up as a lost son or daughter, as Jesus would.
——-
Sadly, I believe that you are prophesying correctly, Thomas.
———————————————————————————————-
The Bible is primarily an account of God dealing with and talking to His people. “You did not choose me, instead, I chose you.” What a privilege! Jesus spoke to the Jews. The command to care for orphans and widows has to be viewed accordingly. He never told Jews to go out and look after Romans.
It is not the church’s job to feed the world. We pay taxes! The Bible clearly says that a man who abandons his family is worse than an infidel. The church is supposed to be a family. Are we looking after our church family the way we should?
The devil is not a fool! People’s busyness anywhere and everywhere is one of his afflictions! There are nearly 43,000 Christian denominations in the world. HELLO!
What a sad example to the world, a sad example of a broken family! The church is a scattered and sick body in need of a doctor! While we are ministering to the worldly world, not knowing whether they will end up saved, someone is slowly dying. This patient is the diseased church! You might feel really great about your good deeds out there, but can you guarantee that these people will end up in Heaven? I am sure we all agree that the “real” food is the bread of life to begin with. What does it profit a man when he gains the whole world, incl. clothes, food etc., etc., and then lose his soul?
And should you go for a walk at night and come upon a homeless person who asks for help you would never harden your heart if you love Jesus!
OF COURSE, if the Lord asks you to purposely go out and minister to homeless, or to quit your job and move to Thailand, or join a prison ministry, or whatever He might ask…., as a true believer you will always joyfully obey. As you are connected with Him and led by His Holy Spirit you can be certain that He will let you know what and when, and where to minister for HIS GLORY. Isn’t it good to know that, no buts ‘n if, whatever WE do doesn’t get us into Heaven! It’s ALL just Jesus!
It all comes down to prayer and asking the Lord to use us however He wishes.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
the real issue here is that charity should first be directed towards fellow believers. Many people post here about the general pauper state out there but the love should be shown to the brethren in faith first. And what irritates me endlessly – because I was made poor by God to test His people – is to see the hardening of hearts towards fellow believers and millions of dollars going to people who will never care a hoot for Jesus.
People who say those who don’t work should not eat, are doing the most damage. Their slogan is not what the Bible teaches yet they live and die by that motto. the bible actually says that those who DO NOT WANT TO WORK should also not eat.
i am dealing with people who had become Muslims or Buddhists because of the lack of love displayed by the church. Just read the columns above and see what i am talking about. if the church does not even know to love its own, how false is the love they pretend to have for others?
The scriptures say that God is not a respecter of persons, and that all are welcomed into His Kingdom.
If I look at whether a person is a believer or an unbeliever, then I become a respecter of persons and thus not created in the image of God.
He even compels us to go out and invite them in.
He has said that the harlots and the publicans go in before you.
For me to sit down and eat while I literally know someone is hungry, I just can not do. No I can not feed everyone of them, but I can do my part, believer and unbeliever alike. Truthfully the sacrificial love that one is to have for one another I would think if there was a group of believers then they would sacrifice a meal that an unbeliever might partake and thus maybe become a believer.
It is written that if we have done it unto the LEAST of these, then we have done it unto Him, therefore Yeshua IS my neighbor.
Gziz Frique,
I feel for you, my brother, and understand where you are coming from.
In several posts above, you said, “I was made poor by God to test His people.” Have you every considered that perhaps God made you poor not to test His people, but rather to test you?
I, too, have had to live with poverty. I am well educated, and have a good understanding of business, together with business courses and a fair degree of experience, I understand commodity markets, stock markets, participated in them and have run several small businesses. In spite of all ventures starting out well and gaining success, all ventures ended badly. My last business was so successful it surprised even my accountant at how rapidly it grow and how successful it was. Then I experienced an accident which hendicapped me sufficiently that I had to close down the business at a great loss.
I questioned the Lord about this: Why, even though I understand the business principles, have taken courses, and experienced a measure of success – enough to demonstrate that I knew well what I was doing and had skill to do it well – why did all end in disaster and failure?
The answer that Lord gave me was this: “Others can be wealthy but you cannot. I have not called you to wealth, but to follow Me. I am to be your Resource and your Provider. Trust Me, depend upon Me, and look to Me to meet your daily needs.”
Since that time, I have trusted Him. He has provided me with a part time income which is insufficient to meet my needs, but as I have put my dependence upon Him, He has provided in very miraculous ways. His ways are extremely varied and diversified, but it is still Him who provides. Very rarely has this provision come through other believers.
As I study God’s Word, I see that we should make our needs known to HIM!.. He did not tell us to complain to fellow believers about what we consider to be their failures in giving as we think they ought. He did tell us to cast our cares upon HIM!
We see from His Word that He wants His people to be generous, and mirror His giving nature by ministering to the physical needs of fellow believers. However, when we are the needful ones on the receiving end, we should not be depending upon fellow believers, but rather upon our Father (read Matthew 6). We are to make our needs known to Him and allow Him to meet our needs as He deems appropriate. Philippians 4:6 exhorts us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (NKJV)
The psalmist had to wrestle with some of these same issues. In Psalm 37 he contrasts the wicked who seem to prosper with what appears to be the poverty and disadvantage of God’s people. He reminds the righteous that the wicked are headed for destruction, while there is coming a day when the humble righteous will inherit the land and experience prosperity beyond measure.
He says in Psalm 37:7-9 ” . . . Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off, . . ” (NASB)
Instead, the Psalmist explains how the righteous should be reacting in Psalm 37:3-7:
3 “Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;” (NASB)
The question I have for you is this: Are you resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him or are you fretting, complaining, and looking to your brothers and sisters to meet your needs rather than God?
I encourage you to do the former, as it appears from your posts that you are doing the latter instead.
One thing I know, as I have put my dependence upon our Father – even though the situations have often been desperate – I have never had to go without a meal due to poverty because my Father in Heaven has made certain that my needs were met as He promised. (see Psalm 37:25
God bless you, my brother, and may He lead you into greater truth and understanding about how great and caring and capable He is.
Wayne
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/1900/hardpressed.jpg
2 Corinthians 4:8 – We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair,
2 Corinthians 4:9 – persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Psalm 145:19 – He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 22:4 – In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.
Psalm 22:5 – They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
Psalm 34:7 – The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Psalm 62:8 – Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah.
Psalm 66:18 – If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
Psalm 66:19 – but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
http://mblordi.com/
About The Good Samaritan?
Jesus was teaching about which was ‘A Neighbor’
to the man that was robbed. – Lk.10
The Priest & like-wise The Levite
came down that road ‘By Chance’.
But The Samaritan ‘Journeyed’ down the same road.
Telling the Inn Keeper when he comes that way again?
He will repay him for the wounded mans care.
Jesus ask, “which of these three do you think
was (Neighbor) to him who fell among thieves?”
Loving Your Neighbor As Yourself ? – Lk.10:27
Is loving the one next to you.
In the vicinity of where you are.
The Priest and The Levite only came down that road By Chance.
But the Samaritan journeyed in that vicinity.
The Samaritan didn’t go down every road
looking for poor people to help.
He helped a ‘Neighbor’ of the area he traveled in.
Priests and Levites did not live among Samaritans.
Thus, the Priest & Levite was just on that road “By Chance”.
But it was a person that they found on their path, and they passed him by. That is the point. They did not even attempt to help someone right in front of their noses.
Most here have already said to be a blessing to those around you. To meet them where they are with a bible in one hand and a sandwich in another.
Gziz Frique,
Remember Elijah being fed by the widow. The Lord provided the provisions through her, and the spiritual food through him.
Seems that you have a unique opportunity to witness to those Buddists and Muslims.
Perhaps I am too simple but I see that Yeshua simply taught that when we share wealth it meets the needs of others and brings forth a common joy to all.
If we can not do this cheerfully then this is where I see that it goes against scripture as the Lord loves a cheerful giver and it is more blessed to give than receive.
Michelle, yes, we minister to them and many others. It gets tricky when they ask why other Christians don’t help us. The name of Jesus always is in the hands of His flock and they sometimes juggle Him around and cause him embarrassment. Remember these Muslims and Buddhist WERE Christians before and left Jesus because there was NO LOVE in church. you seem to have missed the point entirely!
If we withhold love, other believers who are weak and under duress may LOSE faith and become LOST. Don’t you get the picture here???
I understand where you are coming from. However, there are zero coincidences in life if you have given your life to Jesus. When He says He works all things for good for those who are called according to His purposes, that is what He meant.
The things that happen to us, even at the hands of believers, are the very things God uses to do His work in us. To take us places we would not have gone for His Glory.
It is not easy to lay the bitterness down especially when the hurt runs deep. But it will eat you up if it is hung on to.
The point of Jesus question was asked by Jesus.
Who ‘was Neighbor’ of the three ? – Lk.10:36
Not, who passed him by.
Again, the Samaritan didn’t Travel every by way
looking for poor people to take care of in service to God.
He was a ‘neighbor’ of one in need in the area he traveled in.
Jesus tells us to ‘feed my sheep’
Who exactly are Jesus’s sheep?
Widows are people with no husband.
Oprhans are children with no Father.
Earlier in Luke 10, Jesus said this:
Luk 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luk 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Jesus sent them out two by two. And how were they to treat those people that they encountered along the way..
Luke 10:36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Who was it that showed mercy? That is who was the neighbor. If the motive is to spread the Gospel, then the things that will be done while doing that will give glory to God. The fruit of the spirit will be in operation.
There’s a difference in works done because of humanism and that those good things will counter all the bad, and good works done for the glory of God knowing the bad stuff is only countered because of Jesus’ sacrifice. The same works with different motives.
The love of many will grow cold because iniquity abounds comes to mind. I don’t believe we should go into self abasement with searching our heart, but seems like many believers are not asking the Holy Spirit to show them their sins either so that forgiveness and reconciliation to Him can be had. Which then His spirit will give the love needed to produce those works through us.
Michelle,
I think it had more to do with the fact that the Jews hated the Samaritans and vice versa. The fact is that a priest and a Levi passed this man but a Samaritan stopped and attended his wounds and left him at an inn, and thus said whatever else he incurs then the Samaritan would take care of it.
If we go by the fact of the geography, then we have to speak of Yeshua when He encountered the woman at the well. He asked for a drink and she recognized that He was a Jew and thus with sarcasm said, how is it that thou being a Jew ask me for a drink.
Yeshua has His own come back in that He said, if thou had known the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, give me a drink, you would have asked and He would have given you living water. I do not think He frequented Samaria often yet in His passing through He did good.
The dying victim and the Samaritan were members of communities that were sworn enemies.
We are told to LOVE our enemies.Love is sterile without action.
Those who oppose us are our enemies,whoever they are.
We must LOVE them and deal with them accordingly.
It is easy to love our own people,Jesus said that.He also said even the wicked love their own.
Love Your Neighbor As Your Self.
Not The World.
I use to live in Nashvegs TN and never did anything to help those that were in need because I was in need! There are some that will help but they are usually those that are in need them selves! This is a wake up call for me! May HIS Mercy be upon us all!
Regarding the Samaritan….
When Jesus talked about a “neighbour” it has to be viewed in the context of how people lived in those days. People were much less private and helping each other.
Jesus was obviously trying to make a point by using a Samaritan, who were not popular with the Jewish people, portraying him as kinder and more loving than certain Jews.
The Bible tells us that God IS love, therefore, without God there is no love. There might be a “form” of love, but it’s just not the real thing. So then, if a person has Jesus, His Spirit in him, he then has automatically love in him. As Jesus said: “This is how they know…, that you have love for one another.”
Anyone who you might come across and who is in need, even if he or she is your enemy as the Jew was to a Samaritan, is automatically your “neighbour”, because he or she is God’s creation and God loves that person. And because you now have God, His Spirit, living in you, you have the kind of love that overrides any negative feelings or prejudice toward a person who needs help.
However, the good Samaritan did not go out trying to find a Jew in need, but when he happened to see him his compassion for a person in need was stronger than his animosities towards Jews.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
1 John 3:17-18
New International Version (NIV)
17 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? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
This hopefully concludes this topic and please take this verse to heart as the survival of compromized xians should be guaranteed in it.
The corners of their harvest was for
the poor & the stranger who came to their land.
[They were not considered their neighbors.]
Lev.19:10
“Brother” = ‘Neighbor’
“The children of your people” = “Neighbor”
[Those living Next to them in the land God gave them?
Was considered their Neighbor.]
Lev.19:17,18
Neighbor does not mean all people everywhere.
Strong’s concordance.Blue letter Bible,
Lexicon Results
Strong’s G4139 – plēsion
πλησίον
Transliteration
plēsion
Pronunciation
plā-sē’-on (Key)
Part of Speech
adverb
Root Word (Etymology)
Neuter of a derivative of pelas (near)
TDNT Reference
6:311,872
Vines
View Entry
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) a neighbour
a) a friend
b) any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation and commonwealth
c) according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet
The whole world is our neighbour as and when we meet them.
Unless we are JEWS.Some on this site believe as the Hebrews believe.Do they deny Christ???
Every Man’s Neibhbor In The Camp.- Ex.32:27
“Better Is A Neighbor Nearby
Than A Brother Far Away.” Prov.27:10
Look up (all the Scriptures) which explains
a neighbor is one near where you dwell.
Have You Any Scripture Which Says As You Believe?
That, The Whole World Is Our Neighbor
Where Ever We Meet Them?
I can keep posting Scripture. Can you?
Christ gives a wider spiritual interpretation and thus it becomes one of a moral principle and not a physical one.
A neighbor is someone who is next to me and looks out for me. People in those days lived much closer with each other. When Jesus talked about the Samaritan being a “neighbor” the Jews understood this as someone who cares and who looks out for me, because that’s how they lived in those days. They were much less independent.
According to how people lived and understood what it means to be a neighbor in those days, a neighbor is basically someone who helps me when I am in need.
Jesus, while I was still a sinner, made Himself my “neighbor” when He came to rescue me. He did not have to, and I was certainly His enemy in many ways, just like the Jew was to the Samaritan.
The only HUGE difference between the good Samaritan and Jesus is that the Samaritan stumbled across the Jew, whereas Jesus came purposely looking for me.
True love overrides all negative attitudes toward a person in need.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Beware when Religious Principles are use
instead of Scripture.
For binding burdens to all in profiting one who ministers.
- The man who fell among thieves?
Went down that road
from Jerusalem to Jericho. – Lk.10:30
- The Priest went down that road “By Chance”. v.31
- Likewise when the Levite Came T0 That Place
he past on the other side as well.v.32
- Good, Samaritan? Hmm interesting.
Who calleth him Good?
Neighbor, Samaritan?
Is accurate of whom Jesus called the Samaritan.
The Samaritan ‘journeyed’ the road of Jericho time & again.
The inn keeper trusting that the Neighborly Samaritan would
be back that way again to pay, as he said.
- Where ever we go,
if in need may a Neighbor find us.
And of those in need among us,
may we be found as a Neighbor too.
In Jesus Name Amen -
From the article, “Let it get darker, our Jesus will shine brighter.”
That is a horrible thing to say. Jesus our Lord does not want things to get darker and neither should we.If the author thinks things need to get more evil and then Jesus will do more then he has lost his mind.
Why keep complaining about “church” as if it is His church, it isn’t.
Jeff….
“That is a horrible thing to say. Jesus our Lord does not want things to get darker and neither should we.If the author thinks things need to get more evil and then Jesus will do more then he has lost his mind.”
The bible I read says that things ARE dark and that things will get worse…it won’t get better. I don’t want things to get dark or darker but that’s the way it is. That’s why we are to be…
Matthew 5:14-16
New International Version (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ”
What the person said you misunderstood. They were not saying they want things to get more evil so Jesus would DO more. Didn’t say that AT ALL. Not sure how you got that. That’s OK though…we all read things differently..I hope you will read it again and see the encouragement there.
I pray we will let our lights shine before men! I pray that for the “church” as well.
Meredith, “Let it get darker” sounds pessimistic , as does “…it won’t get better.I don’t want things to get dark or darker but that’s the way it is.”
Not any encouragement there if you believe the Lord is able to move all over the world and many will repent and follow Jesus.
I have not given up on a world wide move of God that will make things better for everyone. You say it won’t get better, I say you don’t know all that Jesus has planned to do. I believe in what is the Lord’s will, not in how things look.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
I would be shocked, and I would jump on the band wagon after reading Beres’s topic too, oh wait, I did nine years ago, this is nothing new. When I did help I found everyone takeing our help, money, food, listen to the story of Jesus, but maybe .3% turned to Jesus and realy changed their lives. The rest didn’t give two shakes, and even blamed God, were mentally ill, were exconvicts, drug addicts, people that are comfortable with the life they have and relied on others like us to continue enableing them. One woman that really needs help, still to this day, is on the street hiding from an exhusband that is trying to murder her because she left the drug scene that he dove into when he and a bunch of his friends started their porn company and tryed to force her to participate. She went to the police with no success. Porn is legal, and no drugs were found at the time of the search, so she was counted off as a kook. Since she went to the police, she is a marked woman who survived one attempt on her life and she bares the scars to prove it. She is very pretty still with a nice figure, even has implants. She is in her early forties now and when you see her you would think she had a mercedes parked around the corner and that she just dressed up in dirty homeless clothes, bird nest hair, shopping cart and all.
Christians, don’t buy into the hype. Most of the people on the street don’t care eitherway and are happy to humor you and take advantage of your generosity. Be smart about it. Find the ones who really need help. Mostly woman and kids. Women not on drugs. The Lord will handle the rest. Jesus never needed our help before, he always helped us, and will always help us. Thats the way it is. Jesus will guide you to someone like I was guided to. But how will you be guided if you tied yourself down to the undeserving. Be patient and ready to spring into action like a SWAT team when called. Not willing to jump into things on your own with haste, but to act when “called” upon.
Personaly, I had enough of derranged people, high on whatever, tell me how cool satan is and how satan will have a ferrary and hot girls for him, and critisize me for, “putting all my faith in one book,” and being proud that they don’t read. They do know units of measurement and the price for a number of grams, but they don’t read.
The churches have found this out. They want us to find those who really need help and want to know Jesus and bring them to the church. Thats what the surplus money is for, not to rain money on the skids so everyone can get their fix and flip us the bird. Beres is too hard on the church without real experience. As for the $1000.00 collected and the $1.00 sent to evangelize, I never recieved ONE dollar for anything. I paid out of pocket and never thought of who I can get to reimburse me. And sorry dude, but, “layed with homeless people as they died”? I called 911 and ambulances take them to hospitals. I never heard of someone just laying there under a bridge with someone dieing. Did Beres bury them under the bridges were they died too?
I take this subject very personaly, and I think this was not a good way to introduce this topic of helping those in need as a Christian by using lame statistics and all. If Jesus brings you face to face with a destitute person, hear their story, descern if this person is truely in need of your help, if so, take the advantage and do so, and thank Jesus for the opportunity afterwards. Then the next day you should find that person in the same area, if genuine, (not pan handling) just at their camp, then strike up a personal conversation as a regular person. Only when they feel comfortable with you, then tell them that Jesus sent you to help them. You will either get tiers conferming they are genuine, or another response that will make you feel uncomfortable and insulted. If so, leave and don’t look back. Maybe someone else will have better luck with him next year, “not your problem.”
Just remember, if someone is ill and or dieing, call 911.
Rick wrote:
… then tell them that Jesus sent you to help them. You will either get tiers conferming they are genuine, or another response that will make you feel uncomfortable and insulted. If so, leave and don’t look back. Maybe someone else will have better luck with him next year, “not your problem.”
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Thank you, Rick! Well said!
I have found that Jesus usually somehow sends people in need my way. I never have to go out and run after them. It’s the same we see when people came to Jesus and following Him. All we have to do is live our lives according to His will and purpose while led by His Spirit and then He will take care of the rest.
All we have to do is ask Jesus to lead us and to clearly show us who genuinely needs help. And as long as we don’t harden our hearts there will be lots of genuine opportunity to help those truly in need!
There is an enemy out there who wishes that we would be extremely busy wasting time and money on things and people that will not bear any fruit! One of his attacks on Christians is inflicting them with guilt or a false sense of humility.
Yes, Rick, this is my experience also:
“…You will either get tiers conferming they are genuine…”
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario