Winning the World

102 Wi nn i ng the Wor l d: Fac i l i tat i ng Urban Chur ch P l ant i ng Movement s

B. God’s heart for the poor, and the biblical mandates to care for them

1. OT clear sign of God’s burden for the poor

a. Isa. 58.5-7 (ESV) – Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? [6] “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? b. Ps. 41.1-3 (ESV) – Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; [2] the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. [3] The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.

c. Prov. 19.17 (ESV) – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

2. Jesus’ unique identification with the poor

a. Matt. 25.35-40 (ESV) – For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when