The interactions and comments that I have had on Facebook since I spoke against the commercialization of the Gospel got me thinking about what the True Gospel is all about. This led me to look at the mission statement of Jesus Christ when he announced it in Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Seems like Jesuss first priority was first to the poor no wonder many of them followed him. Secondly the disciples had a welfare system which catered for the needs of the poor especially the widows and whatever was collected from the abled believers went to this kitty (Act 4:34-35) Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.. Act 6:1-2 A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day. The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, We should not give up preaching Gods message in order to serve at tables.Thirdly, the Apostle Paul used to collect money for the poor saints in Jerusalem 1Co 16:1-3 When you collect money for Gods people, I want you to do exactly what I told the churches in Galatia to do. That is, each Sunday each of you must put aside part of what you have earned. If you do this, you wont have to take up a collection when I come. Choose some followers to take the money to Jerusalem. I will send them on with the money and with letters which show that you approve of them. He issued a command to the rich on how to handle their riches one of which is sharing with the poor 1Ti 6:17-19 Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. Instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone. Remind the rich to be generous and share what they have. This will lay a solid foundation for the future, so that they will know what true life is like. James rebuked those churches which discriminate against the poor Jam 2:1-5 My friends, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance. Suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes. If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, Have this best seat here, but say to the poor man, Stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet, Then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives. Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him. James then defines to us what true religion is Jam 1:27 What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world. As I conclude, in this new age gospel of prosperity, where is the place of the poor, the destitute, the widows and the orphans?
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 15:14:07 +0000
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