Helping the poor
Helping the poor is also a duty of Christian to do. The poor country is surrounding by disasters, wars, debt, and unfair trade and so on.
The poor people don’t have enough to pay
The managers of the sanitarium should not be governed by the principles which control other institutions of this kind, in which the leaders acting from policy, too often pay deference to the wealthy, while the poor are neglected. The latter are frequently in great need of sympathy and counsel, which they do not always receive, although for moral worth they may stand far higher in the estimation of God than the wealthier. The apostle James has given definite counsel with regard to the manner in which we should treat the rich and the poor:
Helping the poor is very important to Christian, because that the poor people are indeed, they need
"For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?"
Although Christ was rich in the heavenly courts, yet He became poor that we through His poverty might be made rich. Jesus honored the poor by sharing their humble condition. From the history of His life we are to learn how to treat the poor. Some carry the duty of beneficence to extremes and really hurt the needy by doing too much for them. The poor do not always exert themselves as they should. While they are not to be neglected and left to suffer, they must be taught to help themselves -- Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 550.
God's view of the Poor
1. God made both the rich man and the poor man—we were created alike ()
2. God does not wish us to keep our food to ourselves, but to share with the needy ()
3. God, as the eternal King, is a champion of the poor, needy, afflicted, and those who have no helper. He will deliver them and save them from violence and harm. (; )
4. God is despised when the poor are mistreated ()
5. Showing ill will toward the needy is a sin (
6. There will always be poor in the land ()
7. There should not be needy among you (among the Israelites) ()
Laws set up to protect the poor
1. Laws exist to protect slaves ()
2. Murder of slaves is condemned ()
-this indicates that slaves were human too, and deserved protection and respect.
3. Restitution required if property is stolen or damaged ()
- private property affirmed.
4. Israel ordered to protect the right of foreigners & aliens (, 23:9, )
5. Do not afflict Widows & orphans ()
- God will execute vengeance on those who afflict widows and orphans ()
6. Do not charge interest to the needy ()
7. Do not deny justice to the needy or to the innocent ()
8. Let both the poor and the alien gather from the fields ()
-This enabled the poor to sustain themselves even if they were without land or good crops
- This indicated that the rights of landowners were not absolute.
9. Blood relatives were to have the right of redemption for slaves ()
- This would protect the poor Hebrews and keep responsibility and help in the family
10. Blood relatives were to have the right of redemption for land (Leviticus 25: 25-28)
-this would protect the poor Hebrews & keep responsibility & help in the family
11. Hebrew slaves were to go free in the year of Jubilee ()
12. The land was to have a Sabbath rest during which anyone could gather from what it produced naturally ()
-this showed that God was the true landowner, not man
- when both rich and poor had to gather together, it reaffirmed their common identity
13. Hebrew slaves were to go free in the year of Jubilee--every 50 years. ()
13. There is a difference in how you treat your “brother” versus a foreigner () - Foreigners, although treated kindly and justly, were not recipients of all of the laws
- This has implications for who we should help first: i.e. our "brother", then others.
The Expected response of God’s people toward the poor
1. God orders us to be generous toward the poor ()
2. Job rescued the poor, the abandoned orphan, the widow, the blind, the lame, and the stranger (
3. Job's involvement was generous and he was personally involved. (Job 29:12-16)
4. Our righteousness is linked with our help for the poor & needy and executing Justice for them. ()
5. Job sought justice for his slaves () that God might treat him justly (v 14)
6. Be just in your dealings with all—honest weights & measures ()
7. You should stand up and defend the rights of the poor, afflicted, and needy. ()
8. Job wished to be treated by God as he treated others ()
9. True fasting should help the needy, not ourselves ()
- fasting (spiritual sacrifice) is not to enhance our own spirituality alone.
10. Fasting should provide the hungry with food, the wanderer with shelter, the naked with clothing, and release captives & slaves ()
11. Spiritual growth and revival are linked with our treatment of the poor ()
12. Urban renewal goes with honoring God and helping the poor ()
13 If a brother becomes poor, you are to help him in any way possible ()
14. Protect the right of foreigners & aliens (Exodus 22:21, 23:9, Lev. 19:33)
-Not simply those who are Israelites/citizens
15. Do not afflict Widows & orphans ()
16. Do not deny justice to the needy or to the innocent ()
17. Let both the poor and the alien gather from the fields ()
Blessings & curses associated with our treatment of the Poor
1. God promises to bless those that help the poor cheerfully ()
2. God will execute vengeance on those who afflict widows and orphans ()
3. If we do not treat others with compassion & justice, God will judge us ()
4. Sodom's main sin was being "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." That is why they were destroyed. ()
5. He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD ()
The Eucharist
The Eucharist is of the greatest importance. It is "the sum and summary of our faith." (1327-1328).
The Eucharist is one of the great important parts for Christian to do.
The word Eucharist, which we use for Christ fully present under the appearances of bread and wine, means "thanksgiving." (1328).
The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you..." (1 Cor 11:23). (RSV)
Jesus is still with us in his Church, in his Word, in the seven sacraments, in the Christian community, in the needy, and in other ways, but most especially in the Holy Eucharist.
The Holy Eucharist is a sacrament, a sacrifice, and the abiding presence of Jesus himself, God and man. He is truly and completely present under the appearances of bread and wine, to make us more like him and to join us to one another.
I am the bread of life (Jn 6:35).
Jesus gave us the Holy Eucharist because he wanted to stay close to his followers until the end of time to teach us, comfort us, strengthen us and make us holy. (1323)
Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst (Jn 6:35).
The Eucharist is different from all the other sacraments because under the appearances of bread and wine Jesus Christ is completely present as both God and man. It is his Body and Blood. In the other sacraments, he is present only by his power and its effects.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever, but the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh (Jn 6:51).
Christ renews his sacrifice for us and for our world today so that he can remain with us throughout history, and so that through him, with him, and in him, we can adore and thank the Father and ask his forgiveness and help. (1341-1344, 1356-1358)
He presented himself as an unblemished offering to God and will purify our consciences from dead works so that we will be to worship the living God (Heb 9:14).
Love
Christian Love - Christ's Commandment
What's at the heart of Christian love? Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, once wrote, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death" (1 John 3:14). And "by this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:2-3).
Christian Love - Not a Feeling, a Lifestyle
So, what do these scriptures regarding "Christian love" really mean? Is it a warm fuzzy feeling? I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling for everyone I meet, Christian or otherwise -- does that mean I'm not saved? No, a "warm fuzzy feeling" is not the biblical definition for "love". So, what is the Biblical definition for love? Let's search the Scriptures and find out…
A Pharisaic lawyer once asked our Lord, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)
According to Matthew's Gospel, the very essence of the Law and the Prophets is to love God and to love others. And we see this term "the Law and the Prophets" used in one other place in Matthew's Gospel. It's in this passage that we find the Biblical definition for love: "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)
Would you want your wife to commit adultery? Would you want someone to murder you or to murder someone you love? Would you want someone to steal from you, lie to you, covet your possessions? Of course not! So don't go and do these things to other people! Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, commands us to "owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:8-10)
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus elaborates on this "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" principle. He says, "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:30-36)
Christian Love - Selfless & Giving Love
Christian love is giving to others those things that you would want them to give you if you were in their situation -- and it's doing so even if they can't pay you back. In fact, it's doing so especially if they can't pay you back! Christian love is respect for others. It's mercy. It's charity.
When the King James translators came upon the Greek word agape (God's Love), in addition to using the English word "love" to transliterate it, they often chose the English word "charity." This was meant to reinforce the idea that agape is a selfless, giving love. God's Love is unselfish and unconditional. Now we know what
Faith
Faith is Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one’s supporters. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God’s will.
Why is faith so important? Some leaders of the Christian life say that faith is the foundation of our beliefs and life.
Faith has the power to heal us when we ask Jesus and trust Him.
Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2)
Faith doesn’t only heal but it can raise the dead as well.
As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt down before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand upon her.” (Matthew 9:18[Jesus Heals in Response to Faith])
Jesus told his disciples that if they had faith even the size of the smallest seed which is the mustard seed, that they would see miracles performed and that they could move mountains.
″You didn’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20)
Jesus’ faith was perfect. He performed many miracles and signs for the people of His time. But He said we will do even greater things if we only have faith.
Then Jesus told them, “I assure you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, `May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and it will happen. (Matthew 21:21)
Faith is even more important than other physical acts of worship. The physical acts of worship are important, but without faith, they mean nothing.
Conclusion
I think pilgrimage is the most important things for Christian to go on.
Because:
- Pilgrimage helps Christian to thank God for physical and spiritual healing
- It is also a visit a to where Jesus or Mary appeared to people in the past
- Pilgrimage also can help Christian to seeking inspiration.
- Pilgrimage can help Christian to desire a new perspective, a change of mind.
- Pilgrimage helps Christian to studying various spiritual paths (and foot paths!)
- Pilgrimage helps Christian to seeking ways to reverse the destruction of life on the planet.
- Pilgrimage is also a method to learn meditation.
- Some are deeply questioning their life's purpose.
- Some are committed to the idea and practice of pilgrimage.
- Pilgrimage can help Christian to purifying their hearts; confusion giving way to clarity.
- Pilgrimage is also a chance to doing penance.
- Pilgrimage can let Christian to thinking about being in harmony with the natural world.
- Pilgrimage is also a chance to curious or wish to observe.
- Pilgrimage is also a good method to get away for a day.
- Pilgrimage is also a place for spiritual adventurer.
- Pilgrimage helps Christian to calm their minds and find peace.
- Pilgrimage is also a place for singers and writers looking for something to sing or write about.
