Christian actions and the poor.

 Christians actions and the poor

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbor… Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land." Deuteronomy 15:7, 11.

This is as clear as it can be. We as believers in God. As believers in Christ Jesus are to do what we can to meet the needs of the poor.

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9.

Also in Proverbs we read,

“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor 

will himself call out and not be answered.” 

                                                  Proverbs 21:13

Are you doing your best to help the poor?

Please think about it

Christian ponder this

 Christian ponder this

Here from the book or Proverbs and the mouth of Jesus is something to think about.

“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor 

will himself call out and not be answered.” 

                                                          Proverbs 21:13.

Jesus said,

"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 

"They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 

"He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:41-46.

So if you consider yourself a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to help the poor?

Please think about.

Work for God

Work for God

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9.

All too often I think the church, particularly the evangelical church here in North America fail to follow what is said here in Proverbs 31:8,9. 

While there are a lot of Churches that do reach out and help the poor, and destitute. There are also way too many who do not. There are even many who call themselves Christians who prey upon the poor. Saying if they “sow a seed” meaning give money to their ministry God will bless you with ten, or a hundred fouled return on your money. 

There are also those churches, evangelist and pastors who are focussing so much on the ills of society and not on the love of God, that they are seen by secular society in a negative way. 

In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20.

I like what the American Evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.

As Christians our faith must urge us on to help the hungry, and the oppressed. In this way we will I believe win favour with God and man. And not only that, see souls won for Christ.

Please think about it. 

Your Purpose

 Your Purpose 

The apostle Paul writes,

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2:10.

What is your purpose in life?

The apostle Paul speaking to believers in Christ Jesus tells us “we are Gods workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works”

Jesus said,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40.

Doing good works. Doing Gods work in this world is the purpose of the Christian life.

So are you doing any good works?

When you stand before God what will he say about you?

Please think about it.

Need help

 Need Help

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.  

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  

  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  

He who has ears, let him hear."...

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  

But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  Matthew 13:1-9,18-23.

Here is a parable that tells where each believer stands. There are many people who go to church. Many claiming to be Christians that have fallen away or struggle for one reason or another with their faith. Thus the apostle Paul writes to the rest of us,

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." Romans 15:1.

We who are strong in the Lord ought to help those who are weak in their faith.

Are there people around you whom you need to help spiritually?

Please think about it.

The Christian and the needy

 The Christian and the needy

Jesus said,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40.

The American Evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.

This is what it is to be true Christians. 

So are you doing what Jesus tells us to do?

Please think about it.

The God you can call on

 The God you can call on

                     The Psalmist writes,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.”

                                           Psalm 121:1,2.

Where does your help come from? If you’re a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus it comes from the LORD.

For me that is an incredible thing. The maker of heaven and earth helps me through each day and each problem that may come up.

The God I serve is a personal God who love each individual.

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less." C.S. Lewis.

Do you believe Jesus is the son of God the creator of the universe, the Saviour of the world? The God you can call on in your time of need?

Please think about it.

Who's your neighbour?

 Who’s your neighbour?

In the gospel of Luke we read,

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 

He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

The above scripture is referred to as the parable of the good Samaritan. Simply put it the story of a Samaritan who were despised by the Jews of his time looking after a man who had been beaten and left on the road side, while two of his countryman passed him by.

The purpose of the parable is not to pass judgement on the two men who failed to help him. But rather to show who truly is our neighbour.

At the same time it shows what it is to give  men women and children basic human rights. In this case giving basic health care to an injured man.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbor… Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land." Deuteronomy 15:7, 11.

So how do you teat your neighbour?

         Please think about it.

Please think about it.

Speaking up for the poor

 Speaking up for the poor

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9.

Here is a clear directive from God to all who believe in Him. 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

 for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly;

 defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 

                                                  Proverbs 31:8,9.

Here is something we all of us need to get into our brains. We are to help the needy in any way we can. Speaking up for those in need means confronting our political leaders. Telling them they need to implement programs that will offer a living wage, free access to good health care, food and affordable housing. In short giving the poor basic human rights.

Jesus stood up for the rights of the poor. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells the story of the rich man who had everything this world had to offer but would not help a poor man. The result was the rich man ended up in hell while the poor man ended up in heaven. This should be a warning to all who are rich and to all who are not standing up for the rights of the needy.

Thus my questions to you; Are you speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. For those in need?

Are the politicians and religious leaders you support standing up obeying what is said in Proverbs 31:8,9?

Please think about it.

Faith without works

 Faith without works

The apostle John writes,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

James elaborates on what John is saying,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20

This says it all. If you see someone in need and don’t help him or her to the extent you can, the love of God is not in you. 

And there are many ways you can help those in need give and even volunteer at a food bank. Give a few dollars to someone begging on the street. Give to charities that help the poor.

What are you doing to help those in need?

Please think about it.

Call to the Rich

Call to the rich

The apostle James writes,

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  

You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James5:1-6.

Let me make it clear being rich is not a sin. The apostle Paul writes,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.

When it comes to wealth it’s what priority do you put on it. Many wealthy Christians have helped the church over the centuries.

What James is doing here is calling out the wealthy who have failed to pay there workers. Who have “condemned and murdered innocent men who were not opposing (them)”.

It is a call to wealthy men and women who are sinning. Even committing crimes.

It is a call to them to repent of their sins and turn to God.

Where do you stand with God?

Please think about it.

Helping the needy

Helping the needy

In the book of Exodus we read,

“Do not oppress a foreigner; 

you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners.” 

                                                                             Exodus 23:9

In the book of Leviticus we read,

" ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God."  Leviticus 19: 9,10

The apostle Paul writes,

"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality." 

                               Romans 12:13

In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 14-17

The apostle Paul also writes,

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."Romans 12:20.

According to one source I read, 

“...there are over 2,000 verses of Scripture that deal with responding to the needs of the poor.” 

As Christians we have an obligation to help the poor anyway we can even if it’s just giving a few coins to someone who’s homeless and begging on the street.

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

If you were without food, clothing, shelter, health care, money, would you not want people to help you?

So what are you doing?

Are you doing what you can to help those in need around you?

Please think about it

Why were we created?

 Why were we created?

In the book of Genesis we read,

“So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.”

                                                  Genesis 1:27

So why were we created? The simplest explanation I’ve heard is that God created us so that we could have fellowship with Him.

That being said we were also created to interact with others.

The Talmud makes an interesting statement it states,

“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing good works?

Please think about it. 

Your Acts of Charity

Your acts of Charity

In the book of acts we read,

"Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity." Acts 9:36

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." Proverbs 19:17

In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.

    If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17.

Jesus said,

"Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

With the above portions of scripture in mind, do you preform acts of charity the right way?

Please think about it.

A Christian is

 A Christian is

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

The Oxford dictionary defines ambassador as “a diplomat sent by a state as its permanent representative in a foreign country.”

That is who the apostle Paul is calling us. We are Christ’s representatives on this earth.

St. Augustine wrote,

"A Christian is: a mind through which 

Christ thinks, a heart through which

Christ loves, a voice through which

Christ speaks, and a hand through which Christ helps" 

                                                                             St. Augustine.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

Using your gifts

Using your gifts

The apostle Peter wrote,

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.

Do you use the gifts you have received for God? Do you believe you have any gifts God can use?

Sadly there are many within the church who don’t think they have any gifts God can use. Which is sad because if you are willing God will use you for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

I knew a young woman named Sharon who thought she had no gifts. She came from a poor background. People in the small town where she lived looked down on her and her family.

She wasn’t well educated. She certainly couldn’t preach from the pulpit. She didn’t communicate things well and she was “socially awkward”. Unsure how to act in certain circumstances. 

When I met her she was sweeping floors and cleaning tables at a Christian coffee shop outreach where I was performing.

Long story short. Within two years of my meeting her we were married and we were living along way away from here home town, where people didn’t know her.

Our marriage changed her life in many ways. We got involved with a good church, where she became a volunteer librarian. Additionally we hosted a bible study in our apartment.

During those early years we also moved around quite a bit before a series of events brought us to a small Canadian city where we settled down and joined a church.

Again Sharon volunteered as a librarian. At the same time she got involved with various Christian women’s groups both with our church and outside.

At the same time we opened our house particularly on holidays. We’d invite people who were going to spent the holidays alone to come. An event Sharon liked hosting.

Now Sharon never became a great preacher, teacher, or evangelist and her name will one day be lost to history. Still that doesn’t matter. She is known to God and she gave what she had for God to use and he did.

When she passed away after a long illness over a hundred people came to her funeral. All of whom had been touched by her life in one way or another.

Sharon had always called herself “ordinary”. With very little for God us use. Yet she gave what she had and blessed many by doing so.

So my point here is if God can use Sharon a poor girl from a small Canadian village. He can use you. You may not become a world renowned evangelist. But then very few who work for the Lord are.

The important thing is, as the apostle Peter wrote,

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, 

faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 

                                                                                                   1 Peter 4:10.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

A cup of cold water

 A cup of cold water

In the book of Philippians we read,

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

 but also to the interests of others.” 

                                                       Philippians 2:4

Christianity is very much a faith of serving, serving both God and those around you. In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 14-17.

In Leviticus we read,

"If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you." Leviticus 25:35.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11.

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done."Proverbs 19:17.

The book of Proverbs even says,

"A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge." Proverbs 29:7.

So what are the rights of the poor. It’s my opinion as a believer in Christ Jesus that the rights of the poor are basic human rights we all deserve, food, clothing, housing, and good medical care. 

There are a myriad of reasons a person is poor that should not be our concern. What should concern us the most as believers is that we do what we can to help them. Even if that’s just giving them a few coins out of our pocket or for that matter a cup of cold water.

After all Jesus said,

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42.

Please think about it.

In every situation

 In every situation

In the book of Philippians we read,

“Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

 let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God , 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

                                                                          Philippians 4; 6,7.

I think we all become anxious from time to time. Especially when we run into problems. 

   Problems are unfortunately part of life. And it’s easy to let those problems pull us away from God.

That is why we need to make God the most important part of our life. The one we turn to each morning, the one we pray to each night and the one we go to throughout the day. For in doing so we will find what Paul writes is true,

"Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

 let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God , 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

                                                                          Philippians 4; 6,7.

Do you take your requests to God daily?

        How important is God in your life?

Please think about it.

Do not forget

 Do not forget

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, 

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

                                                                        Hebrews 13:16.

The late civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr. said,

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is,

 'What are you doing for others?'”

                                                               Martin Luther King, Jr.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.

So if you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. What are you doing to help others?

Please think about it.

The duty of the rich

 A duty of the rich

Jesus told this parable,

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.  

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 

"But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 

"He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,  

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 

"Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 

" ‘No, father Abraham,' he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 

"He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' " Luke 16:19-31.

Here we see the consequences of not helping the poor. I think the rich man here may not of even thought that God would hold him accountable for his actions in this world. That’s if he even thought of God at all. He was too busy enjoying his wealth and all it could buy him.

Sadly for him he realized too late that not helping the poor had eternal consequences. 

This parable is one of many warnings that scripture gives to those who are blessed with an abundance of things in this world.

If you are blessed with abundance do you share some of it with the poor?

Please think about it.