Passion for Compassion
Reading: Nehemiah 5:1-13
“Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor
so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9)
The next principle in the topic we are studying is —
4. The Equality Principle
The Canaanite tribes did not bother about equality. The poor were soft targets of the rich. God did not want to have any of it when His people occupied the land. So God made it a law that no one could sell his land permanently (Lev 25:23). This ensured that no Isralite be landless (Neh 5:1-13). Some gathered more manna and some less. When measured the collection was equal (Ex 16:18). God expects us to share the products of our fields with the poor so that the rich will not become richer and the poor poorer. We must move from words to action (Lev 19:9,10).
The woman with two sarees should share with her who has none, and the one who has food should do the same (Lk 3:11). A woman with only two sarees is poor according to our standard. Even she is supposed to give away one so that she will not be richer than the one who has none.
“Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field” (Isa 5:8). Select at least one or two families and lift them up. The early Church practised this: “All the believers were together and had everything in common, selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had needs” (Acts 2:44,45; 4:32). Can we follow it today? It is a question that has intrigued thinking people around the world. The idea is to help the downtrodden live with dignity. This may seem impractical but later on Paul explains it in pragmatic terms. “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality ...” (2 Cor 8:13-15).
Each of us should choose an appropriate lifestyle. But be generous, more generous than what you are now; some more sacrifice and some more carefulness. Give till it hurts. People believe the myth that the poor starve because there is not enough food in the world. The fact however is that there is enough and more for all. It’s unjust food distribution.
Let us give till our lifestyle is changed, till we feel the pinch!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Passion for Compassion
Reading: Nehemiah 5:1-13
“Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor
so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9)
The next principle in the topic we are studying is —
4. The Equality Principle
The Canaanite tribes did not bother about equality. The poor were soft targets of the rich. God did not want to have any of it when His people occupied the land. So God made it a law that no one could sell his land permanently (Lev 25:23). This ensured that no Isralite be landless (Neh 5:1-13). Some gathered more manna and some less. When measured the collection was equal (Ex 16:18). God expects us to share the products of our fields with the poor so that the rich will not become richer and the poor poorer. We must move from words to action (Lev 19:9,10).
The woman with two sarees should share with her who has none, and the one who has food should do the same (Lk 3:11). A woman with only two sarees is poor according to our standard. Even she is supposed to give away one so that she will not be richer than the one who has none.
“Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field” (Isa 5:8). Select at least one or two families and lift them up. The early Church practised this: “All the believers were together and had everything in common, selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had needs” (Acts 2:44,45; 4:32). Can we follow it today? It is a question that has intrigued thinking people around the world. The idea is to help the downtrodden live with dignity. This may seem impractical but later on Paul explains it in pragmatic terms. “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality ...” (2 Cor 8:13-15).
Each of us should choose an appropriate lifestyle. But be generous, more generous than what you are now; some more sacrifice and some more carefulness. Give till it hurts. People believe the myth that the poor starve because there is not enough food in the world. The fact however is that there is enough and more for all. It’s unjust food distribution.
Let us give till our lifestyle is changed, till we feel the pinch!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
