The Bible on Our Obligation to the Poor, Week 6
Here once again is my weekly Lenten round-up of Facebook postings on what the Bible has to say about how we're supposed to treat the least among us. In my tradition, Lent ends on Thursday night --Maundy Thursday in my upbringing -- "Maundy" being derived from the Latin word mandatum, the first word in Latin in the phrase Jesus spoke when washing the apostle's feet: "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you." Good to know the etiology of that word -- I've always wondered, and just now finally bothered to look it up.
I plan to spend Monday through Thursday presenting the last of the verses -- the scripture I am personally most drawn to -- splitting it into daily installments, as it's a long one. So this means I'm down to my last verse. I'm kind of bummed. This has been an interesting exercise. I'm sure there are verses and parables I've left out. Perhaps for next year I will search other religious traditions and their teachings on our duty to share our blessings with the less fortunate who walk this earth with us.
Forty days of verses from the Good Book where God has commanded that we are to take care of the poor, the downtrodden, the needy. We, as a society, should heed that. Not because it's in the Bible, but because it's the right thing to do. You can call me a socialist if you want, but if you are a God-fearing Christian, and believe that Jesus is your Savior, it is difficult to read the New Testament and come to the conclusion that Jesus believed we should tax the poor, let the rich hold onto their wealth with no duty to return to society what they gained from society, and deny the sick the right to health care. In other words, I just don't see Jesus stumping on the campaign trail with any of the Republican candidates who are out there proclaiming that "this should be a Christian nation." Because the version of Christianity they are demonstrating is not what Christ taught. From where I sit, they have taken Christ out of Christianity.
Luke 6:38: Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you.
Mark 12:41-44: The Widow's Mite. Taking a seat opposite the treasury, He observed the crowd putting money into the collection box. Many of the wealthy put in sizable amounts; but one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins worth a few cetns. He called his disciples over and told them: "I want you to observe that this poor widow contributed more than all the others who donated to this treasury. They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave her want, all that she had to live on."
Mark 12:38-40: In the course of His teaching he said: "Be on guard against the scribes, who like to parade around in their robes and accept marks of respect in public, front seats in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. These men devour the savings of widows and recite long prayers for appearances's sake; it is they who will receive the severest sentence."
Acts 2:44. All those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began to sell their property and possessions, and share them with all, as anyone might have need.
James 2:5. Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Is. 58:66ff. Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Peace to you this Holy week, and every week.
I plan to spend Monday through Thursday presenting the last of the verses -- the scripture I am personally most drawn to -- splitting it into daily installments, as it's a long one. So this means I'm down to my last verse. I'm kind of bummed. This has been an interesting exercise. I'm sure there are verses and parables I've left out. Perhaps for next year I will search other religious traditions and their teachings on our duty to share our blessings with the less fortunate who walk this earth with us.
Forty days of verses from the Good Book where God has commanded that we are to take care of the poor, the downtrodden, the needy. We, as a society, should heed that. Not because it's in the Bible, but because it's the right thing to do. You can call me a socialist if you want, but if you are a God-fearing Christian, and believe that Jesus is your Savior, it is difficult to read the New Testament and come to the conclusion that Jesus believed we should tax the poor, let the rich hold onto their wealth with no duty to return to society what they gained from society, and deny the sick the right to health care. In other words, I just don't see Jesus stumping on the campaign trail with any of the Republican candidates who are out there proclaiming that "this should be a Christian nation." Because the version of Christianity they are demonstrating is not what Christ taught. From where I sit, they have taken Christ out of Christianity.
This just seems like an appropriate photo to post for Palm Sunday -- the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding a donkey. Transportation via donkey is still very common in Ethiopia. It's mind-boggling to realize that many in Ethiopia are not living in the 19th century, but rather just as in the time of Christ, two thousand years ago. The verses I posted this week are listed below. I leave you with this Palm Sunday anthem from my youth choir years (four plus decades ago, I'm amazed this comes back to me):
All glory, laud, and honor, to thee redeemer King.
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
The people of the Hebrews, with palms before thee went.
All praise, and prayers and anthems, before thee we present.
Luke 6:38: Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you.
Mark 12:41-44: The Widow's Mite. Taking a seat opposite the treasury, He observed the crowd putting money into the collection box. Many of the wealthy put in sizable amounts; but one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins worth a few cetns. He called his disciples over and told them: "I want you to observe that this poor widow contributed more than all the others who donated to this treasury. They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave her want, all that she had to live on."
Mark 12:38-40: In the course of His teaching he said: "Be on guard against the scribes, who like to parade around in their robes and accept marks of respect in public, front seats in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. These men devour the savings of widows and recite long prayers for appearances's sake; it is they who will receive the severest sentence."
Acts 2:44. All those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began to sell their property and possessions, and share them with all, as anyone might have need.
James 2:5. Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Is. 58:66ff. Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Peace to you this Holy week, and every week.
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