Now More Than Ever?

Assisting the poor.

Let us start out by getting real. You are not poor. You are actually a "one-percenter." Not joking. If you make at least $50,000 grand a year, you are in the top one percent of the wealthiest people in the world. If you make just $10,000 a year you are some of the richest people to ever walk the earth. More than a third of people on earth live on less than $2 a day. 1.2 billion live on less than $1.25.

Think about this. If you are "poor" in this country, you still have a roof over your head. Electricity, running water, heat, and AC, food on the table, oh, and TV, Cellphones, Cloths sitting around we never wear, and one to two cars in the Driveway. Here is a statistic for ya. Americans spend roughly $465 BILLION every Christmas. The amount American consumers spend buying stuff at the holidays is greater than the GDP of some of the world’s poorest countries.

I know I know, some are going to get offended by this. But it is simply the truth. What are you doing with all your wealth? Do you call yourself a Christian and refuse to Tithe? Do you call yourself a Christian and refuse to help the poor? Are you sure you are a Christian? See? I told you some of you may be offended.

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18

How are you any different from a sinner if you are allowing greed and or fear to keep you from helping those less fortunate than you. James put's it this way.

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:14-17

Contrary to some's beliefs, it does not really matter how much you "care." It does not matter how much you 'feel." It does not even matter how much you "know." It matters only in what you DO. Empathy alone does nothing. "Oh, I know how that feels to be hungry and homeless. I hope someone does something about it." That statement means nothing. What are YOU going to do about it?

Did you know that this was one of the main reasons God destroyed Sodom?

"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." Ezekiel 16:49

Yes. It was also due to Homosexuality. But that was just one of the many sins. God was also concerned with the fact they did nothing to help the poor.

" Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16

Without God, we would have nothing. Therefore, because of God, we should share what we have. We bless because He blessed us. This is why it is so important to freely and happily give our Tithes and Offerings. Why? Because the church is doing just this.

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:13

You do not want to go downtown and hand out food to the homeless? I understand. It could be dangerous. Perhaps where you live, you do not really see a need. Trust me, there are many needs out there. Your Church knows the needs and they are trying to meet those needs. But they cannot do it without you. I know I know, some say you work too hard to just give it away. Look at this passage Ephesians 4:27-28

"and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."

Look at this passage a little closer. What does that last part say? "so that he may have something to share with anyone in need." Again? "So that." say "so that." Meaning work 'so that" or so you have, or to, "share with anyone in need." Does it say "work to pay bills?" No. Does it say "Work for a new car?" No. It actually says, "doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."

I can hear some of you. I can. "This is talking about a redemptive thief. That is not me." Really? Are you sure about that?

"Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." Malachi 3:8-10

Stop there for a second. Does it say, bring in tithes to make the Pastor Rich? Nope. Does it say to bring in tithes so that you no longer have 100 percent for duty and penalty, as required by religion? Nope. It says "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house."

Look, seriously, let's get real. Your church is a very real place with very real needs, just like you. The Pastor needs to pay the light bill, AC, Heat, Water Bill, etc. The Pastor needs to be able to eat as well and feed the poor. The Pastor needs to be able to reach out to those in need in various ways. If the Pastor decides to misuse the tithes and offerings you supply them, it is then between them and God. You? You have met your needs. You have done your duty. You are good with God. As a matter of fact, He even dares you to do it.

"And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." Malachi 3:8-10

Again, I understand some may become offended at this. But you are called a thief if you are not tithing. Which is a full ten percent, by the way.

So please understand, that now more than ever, you NEED to do your part. You NEED to help those in need. The best way to do that right now, during this time of Pandemic and Quarantine, is to make sure you keep doing your obligation and tithe and give offerings to your local church. There are often many ways to give. Please do so. In doing so, you will be blessed and God will be with you. Always.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!