“Do unto others, as you will be done by”. Some call this Matthew’s golden rule. Christians must follow this, in order to make all men equal. Unfortunately this does not always happen, because there are those people in the world, people that might not be Christians that think they are more important than others are. One teaching that need not be followed but simply understood, is that that says “It is easier to pass a camel through the eye of a needle than it is to get a rich man into the kingdom of heaven”. Mark 12: 43 also says that “The widow who gave more than she could afford is greatly blessed, more than the rich man who gave plenty, but had plenty to spare”. These teaching are both showing Christians their responsibilities to others, and what to do in life. If a Christian has a talent, God has given that talent to them and they should share their talent and not be selfish. No one person should be wealthier than the next, and everyone should be equal.
It is written in the bible that Jesus did not discriminate. He mixed with social outcasts, people on the edge of society. He even helped the gentiles, for example in Luke 7:1-10, Jesus healed a Centurions servant. This isn’t showing Christians to help centurions servants, it is showing them to care for everyone, even if you are opposed to them you should help them if they are in need.
It is in Christian teaching that all humans have a responsibility to help one another. Whoever has been blessed by God and given more than they need must share their wealth with the people that need it most. Those with more, must give more. We should never be selfish and take more than we need, because there are those that have nothing.
In conclusion, we must show compassion for those that are less fortunate than ourselves. Jesus taught ‘the parable of the Good Samaritan’, showing us that we must help anyone that needs help, whether you are sworn enemies, best friends, or have never met. We must live our lives, pleasing God in every way we can. If it is his wish that we share wealth, and help the needy, it must be done!
Notes
- Unpack responsibility to others- stewardship- genesis
- Jesus “do unto others”
- O/t teaching (consistent with Jesus’ message)
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Respond to the world we live in → divided society, N/S divide, absolute poverty, causes of poverty and problems of poverty
- Guided by Jesus’ teaching an example of how they should respond
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Social content of Jesus →he mixed with people on the edge of society … examples
- His message was inclusive
- Church = community of people
- Jesus stressed that we have to help those in need …examples
- He said we couldn’t have eternal life/ kingdom of god unless we do
- What we do for others, we do for God
- Christians must put their faith into practice
Mark 12: 43 – The widow who gave more than she could afford is greatly blessed, more than the rich man who gave plenty, but had plenty to spare.
