Jan. 09, 2022

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS ONLY AUDIO AVAILABLE. NO VIDEO.

(scroll down for the notes)

Compassionate: feeling or showing concern for someone who is sick, hurt, poor, etc.

Warren Wiersbe: Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.  

2 Corinthians 6:10. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

God never expects us to give what we do not have. 

We don’t have to be afraid of the challenges because God has the resources to meet any challenge.

Dr. Bob Cook: “If you can explain what’s going on,  then God didn’t do it.”

My response to the poor reveals the true attitude of my heart.

Proverbs 21:13. Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

Matthew 26:11. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.

Matthew 6:3-4 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Galatians 2:9-10.  In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, …They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

Galatians  6:10. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

1 John 3:17.  If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

It is the will of God to show compassion for the poor.

Proverbs 19:17. If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!

It’s not just our responsibility, but it’s a blessing and a privilege to help the poor. 

James 2:15-16. Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

Our greatest responsibility and obligation is to give the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

The Good Samaritan had the opportunity and choice to make himself a blessing. 

We cannot separate relationship with God from relationships with other people.