BRING IN THE POOR
AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #35
Bring in the Poor
“And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment.
“But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
“and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This is a profound Truth being taught and demonstrated by Jesus. The focus verses are Luke 14:12-14, but the narrative begins at Luke 14 and goes from verse 1 through verse 14.
There are many things to learn here:
And Jesus said to them, When He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching Him closely.
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
Jesus asks, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But the Pharisees kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him and sent him away. (The Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath)
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus.
When you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
So it will be for you as you are a disciple of Jesus
STOP THE SELF INDULGENCE
In Luke 18:22, Jesus told the ‘rich young ruler’ if he wanted eternal life that he would need to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, then come and follow Jesus.
GIVE – WITH NO REWARD IN MIND
The last item in this list can be the most difficult. We are to give with no reward in mind. It should remind us of at least two other profound Teachings of Jesus:
Luke 6:38 which tells us to “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Now, it is your turn:
HOW MUST YOU DO IT?
HOW MUST YOU TEACH IT?
All we do is for the Glory of God, alone.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
We are living in a time where the “State” has largely replaced God in our lives. What the Church used to do (or does in a very limited fashion) The “State” now does, but with serious consequences.
The “State” provides food, clothing, housing, medical care, social welfare income, social security retirement income, disability income, mandated education, government funded abortions, job training, etc., regardless of your beliefs, lifestyle or habits, morals or ethics.
WE, the CHURCH are abdicating our role and responsibility. We must care for and provide for our pastors. But, the average church spends 70% to 80%+ of its buildings, debt, income on salaries, retirement plans, healthcare plans, perks, etc., for pastors and staff. Even the best missions programs top of their giving at an average of just 5%. Even once the mission money is delivered, it to goes largely to the same budgetary items.
We go to our church buildings and worship in relative luxury while the world around us becomes more and more secular, more hostile to Christianity and lost to God.
WE, THE CHURCH, THE SAINTS OF GOD, HIS CHILDREN, MUST RECLAIM THIS TERRITORY!
I pray that God will forgive me – forgive us – and that we will submit ourselves, our luxuries, our wants to Him. That I – that we – have the will and the courage to repent and follow Him, fully devoted, fully surrendered, all in! Amen & Amen.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young