Compassion and Kindness: Biblical Perspectives on Helping Crowds and the Poor

February 5, 2017 Ed Lewis

I. What to do with Crowds? Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into this harvest field.

I. What to do with Crowds? the crowds one person at a time Saw A. Sensitive B. to their hopelessness C. laborers Seeking

II. What to do with the Poor? Proverbs 14:21, 31 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

II. What to do with the Poor? Proverbs 17: 5a He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

II. What to do with the Poor? Proverbs 21:13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he share his food with the poor.

II. What to do with the Poor? Proverbs 22: 22-23 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

II. What to do with the Poor? Proverbs 28: 3, 6, 8 A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor

II. What to do with the Poor? Proverbs 28: 27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. Proverbs 29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

II. What to do with the Poor? Proverbs 31:8,9 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.

II. What to do with the Poor? Ezekiel 16:49 Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

III. Believers are Susceptible to These Three Issues: Delegation A. B. Dried up Deceived C.

IV. How Can We Impact the Overlooked? A. Be a refreshment relationships B. Build C. them Respect D. whose you are Remember Reconcile E.

V. What I Have Learned in Working in the Inner City 1. I am very 2. All people are 3. People without make the best neighbors 4. Not all hurting people are 5. The wealthy people are the to reach for Christ blessed sinners wealth swindlers hardest

V. What I Have Learned in Working in the Inner City 6. All people to love and relationships 7. Sinners can change quickly when God gets in their 8. I people need respond hearts!

What Now? If you are here without Christ! If you are here as a believer! 1. See 2. Sensitive 3. Start