Theme: Welfare of the Poor
Text: Psalm 112:1-10
I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We praise God the grace given to all of us to cope up with Lockdown for more than 68 days. By the grace of God, we are privileged to participate in the online Sunday Services and listen to the Word of God.
During May 2020, we had several sermons based on many important Welfares, namely, Welfare of the Kingdom of God (Seek First things First), Health of the Believers, Welfare of a City, Personal Welfare, Welfare of a Nation, Economical Welfare, Welfare of Many, Welfare of Ecosystem, Welfare of Poor, and finally, in the evening we are ending with Welfare of Missionaries. If you missed any one of these series, kindly visit Annanagar Methodist Church MC YouTube Channel. If you have not subscribed, please do so for immediate updating.
Today, I would like to meditate with you all on the “Welfare of the Poor” based on Psalm 112:1-10. Psalm 111 and 112 are composed alphabetically with twenty-two letters of Hebrew language. Psalm 111 exalts God as Righteous and Holy and Psalm 112 depicts characters of God’ children.
I am using the word POOR as a representative word for People living with poverty, and categories of widows, neglected, downtrodden, differently-abled and even-aged who are denied the rights and privileges and oppressed by the Powerful of any kind for various reasons. Begging is an entirely different industry who are engaged based on troubled backgrounds, too lazy to find the job, or forced by others, I am not touching that subject today except a few references to it.
I would like to divide this Psalm 112 into three parts as
Psalm 112:1-4 titled ‘Heed to the Commands of God’,
Psalm 112:5-8 titled ‘Listen to the Demands of Poor’, and
Psalm 112:9-10 titled ‘Live as Brands of Generosity.’
1. HEED TO THE COMMANDS OF GOD – Psalm 112:1-4
Reading the scripture leads us to have an understanding of God’s commands. Here, the Psalmist describes the attitude of the blessed man in verses (Psalm 112) 1-5. He fears the Lord, he delights in commands of God. He is gracious, compassionate, generous and just. The word generous means kind. He is kind to the poor. So he is blessed. His children are mighty. Wealth and riches are in his house. Light dawns for him in Darkness.
Enduring Word commentary says ‘delighting in the commands of God’ implies being practical to God’s call and will. Spurgeon says ‘Hypocrites enjoy in doctrines but not in Commandments’. Delight comes by reading, heeding and observing the commands of God, the joy is multiplied when the commands are obeyed.
A passage in Talmud (body of Jewish civil and religious laws) reads Moses gave six hundred laws to the ancient Israelites. As these laws and commands proved too numerous to memorize, to remember and to observe. So, King David brought them into eleven in Psalm 15. Prophet Isaiah further reduced them into six (Walks righteously, speaks right, rejects gain, keeps hands free from Bribes, stops ears from plots to murder, shuts his eyes contemplating evil) in Isaiah 33:15. Prophet Micah reduced them into three (Act justly, Love mercy and walk humbly) in Micah 6:8. Prophet Third Isaiah brought them as two (Maintain Justice and do what is right) in Isaiah 56:1. Prophet Amos reduced as only one (seek me and live) in Amos 5:4. However, Prophet Habakkuk interpreted it as “The just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).
The acts of Just is redefined here as being mindful of poor. Giving attention to them. Deuteronomy 15:4-11 express the heart of God; In v. 4 God desires ‘there should be no poor among you’ but because of the evil nature and wickedness of the human race, in v. 11 God said, ‘there will be always poor people in the land’. So, in v. 7. God commands, ‘Do not tight fist your hand to the poor.’ We live in a very busy world and no time even to look around. God reminds us to think about the welfare of the poor and needy.
According to Proverbs 31:8-9, we must defend the rights of the poor. Isaiah 1:17 says, defend the cause of the oppressed and fatherless. Psalm 82:3 calls to defend the cause of the weak and fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. One of the rights of the poor is to enjoy the harvest from the fields (Exodus 23:11, Leviticus 19:9-10). Yahweh defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, gives food and clothes (Deuteronomy 10:18). Even Paul writes to the Galatians to remember the poor (Galatians 2:10). Righteous considerate the cause or rights of the poor (Proverbs 29:7) because Yahweh judged the cause of the poor and needy (Jeremiah 22:16).
One of the lifetimes challenging teachings of Christ is found in Luke 14:12-14. He says, invites the poor crippled, lame and the blind to your Banquet. The challenge is not helping the poor but inviting them to our banquet. The poor must be regarded and honoured as God’s creation.
One more challenge is laid in Matthew 25:35-45, during the final judgment, Christ appreciates the act of arms, such as, sharing food, clothes, visiting the sick, prisoners, and helping them to taste the love of God. The identification of Christ with hungry, thirsty, sick, naked and the stranger is an amazing understanding of anthropology and theology. In Matthew 19:21 we read “if you would be perfect, go sell what you possess, and give to the poor.” In Luke 12:33-34 we read “sell your possessions and give to the needy”.
Some of them are Poor because they are deprived of their privileges, cheated, defrauded by the powerful. But the tragedy is the poor, needy and neglected are robbed in various ways. How often we are disheartened to see how justice is denied to the poor and widows. Bible says ‘Do not rob the poor’ (Proverbs 22:22-23). According to James 1:27, the pure and true religion accepted by Father is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Apostle James debates over the inactive faith and active deeds of a believer. Faith is not passive but active and creative. The word ‘look after’ means ‘care’ for them. Giving attention or heeding to the Poor is an act of justice and righteousness.
Whoever Kind to the poor lends to the LORD (Proverbs 19:17). Whoever mocks the poor insults the maker (Proverbs 17:5). Whoever oppresses poor insults his maker but he who is generous to the needy honours God (Proverbs 14:31). Psalm 41:1 calls to have a “Regard for the Poor.” So, Secondly, we must heed to the demands of Poor.
2. HEED TO THE DEMANDS OF POOR – Psalm 112:5-8
Psalm 112:5 ‘Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely…’ Surely he will be never be shaken (Psalm 112:6). His heart is steadfast and secure and at the end, he owns the victory (Psalm 112:7-8).
Poor are the owners of Poverty: The word poverty comes from the French word “poverté” which means poor. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Poverty is the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions” (Cite:Britannic.com). According to the World Bank, “Poverty is a state in which a person lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living”. The world Bank in 2015 has defined extreme poverty as people living on int..$ 1.90 or less a day (cite: worldbank.org). This poverty measured based on a person’s consumption and income on a given day (cite:ourworldindata.org).
People have economical poverty as well as spiritual poverty. At least be blend with poor of the Spiritual poverty if not with economical poverty (Mathew 5:3). Hear the cry of the poor if your prayers are to be answered (Proverbs 21:13). Blending is mixing up, merger with their emotions and Psychological disturbances, pray with them. Sometimes we used to read from the Newspapers about the reunion of the mentally disturbed persons by the help of some organisations which work for the welfare of these kinds of people who live on the streets. World Bank says, COVID-19 crisis will have a disproportionate impact on the poor, through job loss, loss of remittances, rising prices, and disruptions in services such as education and health care. The present crisis will erase five years of progress and take us back to 2015. Sixty million will be pushed to extreme poverty in 2020. Access to good schools, health care, electricity, safe water, and other critical services remains elusive for many people, often determined by socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, and geography (cite: worldbank.org).
“How extensive is your universe of responsibility?” is a million-dollar ethical question to a Jew. The rabbis solved this by saying that it is permissible to prioritize the needs of those closest to you, by being part of your family, your tribe, your religious community or your geographical area. But the Talmud also says: “You are required to support the poor of the non-Jews just as you must support the poor of the Jews.” Prioritization of those closest to you does not exempt you from extending your aid to others in need even if they are not part of your immediate circle of associations.” (Rabbi Sid’s address to World Bank in 2014, cite: rabbisid.org).
The Christian Institute of Management conducted a Webinar on ’Understanding the Times’ on April 24, 2020. They gave six Tips for the CEO. First, three are 1. Humble yourself with Fasting, Confession and Prayer, 2. Serve others with lament, compassion and generosity, 3. Trust God with faith, hope and confidence.
I would like to emphasis the second Tips. While we think of helping others, we shouldn’t have an attitude of bossing over them but serve with lament, compassion, love and generosity. Then we would be blessed and would be pleased. So, Share with the Poor. The last passage of Psalm 112 talks about sharing with the Poor as Brand of Charity.
3. LIVE AS A BRANDS OF GENEROSITY– Psalm 112:9-10
Most of us go for branded materials for reasons: Brands have a rung on a socio-economic ladder, give identity with a social group, gives a sense of pride of living, and of course, long-lasting. Sometimes its saddening to see the Branded people wouldn’t do branded works when comes to Christian living. Our lives should leave behind a legendary identity. Some of the names still exist for centuries because of their life and contribution to the Society and the Kingdom of God.
One best example of Brand is Egoless Mother Theresa: She used to collect donations for orphans from rich folks. Once a rich guy on the peak of his anger frets he spits on her face. Immediately with a smile, she wiped with her Sari. She said, “Thanks for whatever you gave me, but what will you give to help my poor people.” The rich man was stunned and gave her sufficient funds as donations. Even today, God looks for believers with a good and kind heart to help the poor and needy. I thank all those who helped generously for COVID-19 relief work done through our AMC.
Psalm 112:9 says, ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever.’ Giving to the poor is righteousness. Giving to needy is considered an act of Righteousness (Mathew 6:1-4). As that of believing the promises of God by Abraham (Genesis 15:6). The wells spring up when they pump up the water. The same way the giver becomes a great reservoir of blessings of God. That is giving to the poor (2 Corinthians 9:9).
Albert Barnes comments: Scatters means being liberal with what one has. The Surplus and overplus in believers hand are designed to divide and to meet the needs of the unfortunate, the weak, the aged, the imbecile, the infirm, who have “not” enough. It is the “treasury” of God - the “reservoir” where that is gathered which is to be distributed for the needs of the helpless and the dependent. The overplus belongs to God and must to be appropriated as God shall direct.
Jewish Rabbi Isaac taught: “One who gives a small coin to a poor person obtains six blessings, but one who addresses him with words of comfort obtains eleven blessings.” That is eleven blessings found in Psalm 15 and Six blessings found in Isaiah 33:15.
The former president of USA Mr Ronald Reagan said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” Charles Spurgeon says “If anyone should desire to leave behind him a flourishing posterity, let him not think to accomplish it by accumulating heaps of gold and silver, and leaving them behind him; but by rightly recognising God and serving Him; and commending his children to the guardianship and protection of God.”
Pulpit Commentary says: ‘the scattering is not simply dispersing lavishly but with a relief of distress of the needy and poor’. The almsgiving and charity remain forever but not for popularity. Commentator Ellicott says “It is frequent and customary actions” of the believers to scatter to the Poor and needy.
Dear friends we must try to become brands of generosity and Charity. As Psalmist says, give freely and generously if God has blessed you with an abundance of riches. Share bread with them (Proverbs 22:9), Share your tunics with them (Luke 3:11). Sharing multiplies the blessings. An ear of corn must die to produce more corns. The young boy shared five loaves and two fish with Jesus. Jesus shared with Disciples after prayer. Then each time the Disciples took from the basket and passed on to the crowd every time they were breaking and sharing the bread, they found it was increasing and keep increasing (John 6:1-12).
Certainly, our sharing carries the Love of God. We want them to be like us in dignity and enter into eternity. Therefore, we must Share the eternal bread, JESUS CHRIST through our charity. It’s not luring or enticing the weak and poor but presenting acceptable Gospel for the higher realm of life and honour.
That’s why Our Lord Jesus Christ whenever he had encountered beggars during his life on earth. He healed them and preached the Gospel. Say like, Beggar blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). Even Jesus quoted the sufferings of Beggar Lazarus and he commented about his assurance on salvation (Luke 16:20). Jesus healed a Blind Beggar in Jerusalem near Siloam, All of them were given eternal bread.
Peter and John shared the eternal bread with the Beggar who was sitting at the Beautiful gate (Acts 3:2,5). They brought that man inside the Temple. They made him equal to them. He was dignified. Gospel changes the status of the recipient. God has adopted all of us as His Children (John 1:12). So our charity without sharing Christ is mere social work but our call is sharing our resources, blessings not only to meet their immediate needs but their thirst of the soul. I am not sure how many of you have shared the assurance of eternal life to your servant maids, gardeners, and drivers. You make to view TV Serials but not willing to make them partners in the Kingdom of God. Lead them to a dignified life in Christ.
Let me end with a real story. A Beggar turned into Bollywood celebrity In 2019: Ranaghat railway station in Nadia district of West Bengal had a lady beggar singing for her livelihood for more than decades but her life changed by a commuter’s initiation. The beggar Ranu Mariah Mondal was picked up by a Bollywood singer-actor and she was given a chance to sing for his movie which changed her fortunes. Her Hindi song “Teri meri Kahani” is viewed by nearly 14.5 crore viewers. Now she is known as melody queen of Bollywood. The Beggar turned into a Bollywood celebrity. If the world can do to a beggar then why not Gospel exalt the persons of poverty into eternal dignity? Let’s share the Gospel and leave a legacy of Brands of generosity. Amen.
