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Women Living Well Blog: Do Not Favor the Rich Over the Poor

Women Living Well Blog

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Do Not Favor the Rich Over the Poor

In this video, I mention a book by Richard Stearns titled "The Hole in the Gospel". This book powerfully explained the need for American Christians to understand the poverty of the world around us. I reviewed this book here .


Here's an excerpt from the book: "Richard was a godly husband and father to 5 children and was the President of Lenox China before giving up his Jaguar, large home, and large salary to become the President of World Vision. He went from living the country club lifestyle to sitting in grass huts in Uganda feeding children who are starving. Why? Why did he give up the American dream?




Richard told the story of a pastor friend who went through the Bible literally cutting out with scissors, all the verses on poverty and then when he preached on poverty, he held his ragged, tattered Bible in the air and said "Brothers and sisters, this is our American Bible; it is full of holes...here are all the Biblical texts we ignore."





James  2:1-13
The Sin of Partiality


2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?



8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Walk with the King!
This post is linked to Raising Homemakers, Titus 2sdays, and We Are That Family.


Today is Women Living Well Wednesday! It's a Link-Up Day!!!

Join the fun, do a little blog hopping and don't forget if you join below -please add the Women Living Well Wednesdays button to your post so your readers can find us here! (posts can include the topics of marriage, parenting, homemaking, finances, recipes, organization and more!)


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11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for the link-up and your wonderful blog!

May 17, 2011 at 11:06 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Wow! It's so true that we can make a difference- even if it's just to one person. I was just reading in Acts how the people all shared everything and nobody lacked anything. We need to get that spirit of sharing with others. Our money is not ours only!

Thanks for the link up!

May 17, 2011 at 11:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh Courtney, I was just reading these verses tonight! My husband shared it to me as I have been struggling feeling left out by church cliques. What can you say about the topic of church cliques? It has been a struggle for me to fit in because of "exclusivity."

May 18, 2011 at 12:16 AM  
Anonymous Karie said...

Thank you. Beautiful message is an understatement.

May 18, 2011 at 12:48 AM  
Blogger LeeAnn and Boys said...

I need the Lord's help. I want to give and to be generous but I'm jaded. I've had multiple personal experiences when I've given and felt that the receiver isn't grateful or feels entitled instead of humble and gracious. Eg. rented my apartment to a couple who needed a hand up then they trashed it; attended a fundraiser for a girl with medical problems and find out they go to Disneyland every year; handed some food to a homeless man he returned it saying sorry I don't eat that. How can I give unconditionally so I won't feel hurt when I do?

May 18, 2011 at 1:02 AM  
Anonymous April @ The 21st Century Housewife said...

I've been reading through James with you, and I'm so enjoying your posts and teaching. Thank you for the link up too!

May 18, 2011 at 3:18 AM  
Blogger Janelle Nehrenz said...

Oh yes, yes, yes...This is something to instill in our children as well...not to be boastful of what we have..not to be jealous of what others have...God loves us all and that is his commandment to us. I am so amazed that He humbled Himself to show us in the flesh how to treat one another. It never gets old to me. What an important part of the Bible. Thanks Courtney. Love you, Janelle

May 18, 2011 at 9:38 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

God is knocking on the door again - I've been banging around the inner hallways of my mind over similar issues. All I can truly say is God is pointing me somewhere and you wrote this well!

May 18, 2011 at 11:28 AM  
Blogger Ingrid said...

Enjoyed this post, so near and dear to my heart. For myself traveling to a developing country and seeing the poverty with my own eyes made a BIG impact on me. Even though I can't change the whole world I can do something! I won't sit idlely by anymore.

May 18, 2011 at 4:17 PM  
Blogger LeAnn said...

I loved your post today. My husband and I were just called as Inner City Missionaries and we will be working with individuals who are struggling in poverty. We are excited to be able to help where we can.
Blessings to you!

May 18, 2011 at 4:34 PM  
Blogger Ingrid said...

Leeann and boys,

Your comment made me sad. I thought about it today and prayed. I felt led to share a couple things.
First, I think it is wise to ask if we are putting ourselves on a "pedestal" when we give. I have been involved with inner-city ministry for many years. Unfortunely, for the first 1/2 of that time I was guilty of standing on that "pedestal". I thought of myself as better than those I was helping. When I finally came down and realized that I was no better than anyone else and just as in need of God's grace, then giving became better. I was humble in giving and serving. It is so easy to think of ourselves as better because we have more (material goods, education, manners, etc.) and giving with that mindset is not healthy. Second, it is possible to hurt the poor when you are trying to help the poor. Handouts aren't good. I think it is better to find organizations to support that are working to not just meet an immediate need but helping make a long-term impact. For example, I support an organization in Ethiopia that helps widows. Despite the extreme poverty the widows are required to pay back in some way. We sponsored a widow to attend sewing school. It cost us $135. Within a year she is required to pay back a certain amount of money that will help enable another widow to attend school. I feel good about that! Recently, we had a old car to get rid of and I told my husband we should just give it to our neighbors who are very low income. Dan said no and asked them to pay for it. It was only $200 and we allowed them to make payments but in the end paying for the car was probably better for them than just a handout. I hope that all makes sense. Helping people learn to help themselves, even when it seems less generous, is better for all involved. Keep giving, it is a command!! One final thought and the most imporant, PRAY and ask for wisdom in how you should give.

May 18, 2011 at 11:19 PM  

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