Sermon Central
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No Debt. Now What? Series
Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 7, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Church leaders in the first three hundred years rebelled against the Greco-Roman culture of abandoning infants.
No Debt. Now What?
December 10, 2023
James 1:27 NIV
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.
Church leaders in the first three hundred years rebelled against the Greco-Roman culture of abandoning infants.
Thousands were rescued and taken into homes. Early church leaders began receiving regular offerings that were dedicated to orphans.
In the fifth century the first home for the widows and elderly was established by Christians.
Today, in Western culture, it is common for the elderly to live in homes where they can receive special care.
This all started because the followers of Jesus showed compassion on the widows and elderly.
What does the bible teach about the poor and marginalized? What’s our responsibility?
1. Listen to them.
Proverbs 21:13 NIV
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
I believe in hearing the voice of God, but I am also convinced God wants us to hear the voices of the poor.
Story of Mr. and Mrs. White on Abbey St.
2. Respond to them.
Proverbs 19:17 NIV
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”
Do you want a guaranteed return on your investment? Give to the poor, the widows, and the orphans.
3. Give them a voice.
Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Orphans and widows are the two groups who cannot defend themselves.
When wars are fought, or drought strikes a land, widows and orphans are the first to die.
When the economy tanks, widows and orphans are the ones who hurt the most.
They need an advocate. The church was created to be their voice!
Story of Mary and Joseph. Wise Men brought them gold, frankincense, and Myrrh. They would later have to flee to Egypt, but now they have money to survive.
