Jesus, the Poor, and You
Part Three
Traveling back to Gen. 2, when God finished creating or working, the world provided everything needed for a ‘good life’. As time passed so did the multiplication of tribes of people, but due to Adam’s sin, things kept falling apart: hence the flood. God started over, but apparently sin did not … it continued until the whole earth, possessing one language, became immigrants with a unified purpose of having the authority of the highest name: hence the Tower of Babel. God’s plan was to cover the earth with His image-bearers, spreading out families of all kinds with His glory, but mankind wouldn’t submit.
Thankfully, God found Abram (Gen. 12) who complied with His instructions, but there was now a promise or covenant that nations would be blessed through him. Generations passed, Abraham’s lineage went into slavery in a foreign country, but the blessing to the nations was still in effect. As Moses led these immigrants back to the Promised Land, God continued working to give them the ‘good life’, but now there were responsibilities attached to the promise. We read in Deuteronomy 10 that the Ten Commandments, not Ten Suggestions, included the nations who also became immigrants.
Moses preached the requirements of God: honor and love Him, walk in His ways by serving with the right attitude, and observe His mandates with justice in mind.
He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner (immigrant), giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18
Since we’re those image-bearers, claiming the rights of Abraham, our requirement or guiding principle is the same: do justice. Interestingly, the word ‘execute’ means to make something happen. It’s having the heart that sees a wrong and does something to make it right. Helping children who are fatherless, women without husbands, showing care to immigrants with food and clothing are not seen by God as suggestions but His command to those who are part of the Kingdom of God:
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17
We can learn to do good by finding out what’s available in our community, having a desire to help people who are oppressed in any way; that’s Kingdom living, that’s the way Jesus lived. Do you want the benefits of God operating in your life?
Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
Deuteronomy 6:3
It’s time for us to ‘do the right thing’ and ‘make it happen’ with Jesus’ empowerment, to right some wrongs; He is our standard, therefore, go into your community and do what He would do.
… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV
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