Comments on: Do Not Show Partiality to the Poor http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/ Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:31:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: adam ray http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-9932 adam ray Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:03:35 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-9932 I think the Bible is pretty clear on giving to the poor, taking care of widows and orphans, and fighting the social injustices in our world. With that say i think there is a danger to down play or spin the Bible's clearer message by misinterpreting a few vague verses like Lev. 19:15 and Mark 14:7 where Jesus says, "you will always have the poor among you." Neither or these passages mean "its ok to only give out of your excess to the poor." Or, we have no right to judge decisions of others. We have the ability to judge actions and decisions, but we do not judge the whole person (1 Cor. 5:12-6:6, Acts 5, Gal. 2, and other countless examples of christians and OT saints judging other actions). Therefore, there is nothing wrong in pointing out that the act of rich living (which applies to anyone in America really because we're in the top 8% of the world) and sparse giving, if at all, to the poor is in fact Biblically wrong. The Bible calls us to live a reduced-lifestyle. It is not our job to ease the guilt of the wealthy or even wealthy Christians that may even give to non-profits. I think the Bible is pretty clear on giving to the poor, taking care of widows and orphans, and fighting the social injustices in our world.

With that say i think there is a danger to down play or spin the Bible’s clearer message by misinterpreting a few vague verses like Lev. 19:15 and Mark 14:7 where Jesus says, “you will always have the poor among you.”

Neither or these passages mean “its ok to only give out of your excess to the poor.” Or, we have no right to judge decisions of others. We have the ability to judge actions and decisions, but we do not judge the whole person (1 Cor. 5:12-6:6, Acts 5, Gal. 2, and other countless examples of christians and OT saints judging other actions).

Therefore, there is nothing wrong in pointing out that the act of rich living (which applies to anyone in America really because we’re in the top 8% of the world) and sparse giving, if at all, to the poor is in fact Biblically wrong. The Bible calls us to live a reduced-lifestyle.

It is not our job to ease the guilt of the wealthy or even wealthy Christians that may even give to non-profits.

]]> By: Tom SIms http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-9923 Tom SIms Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:16:48 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-9923 Your meditation is thoughtful. Your summation is insightful. Your application question cuts to the quick. Excellent post. I love the idea of God worming conviction out of my heart. Your meditation is thoughtful. Your summation is insightful. Your application question cuts to the quick. Excellent post. I love the idea of God worming conviction out of my heart.

]]> By: Kathleen Popa http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-9920 Kathleen Popa Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:06:55 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-9920 Such great thinking. Thank you. Such great thinking. Thank you.

]]> By: Barry Wallace http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-9774 Barry Wallace Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:06:16 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-9774 Excellent point, and one I had never even considered a possibility, actually. Thanks for pointing out that passage. Excellent point, and one I had never even considered a possibility, actually. Thanks for pointing out that passage.

]]> By: HServante http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-8079 HServante Sat, 02 May 2009 14:54:23 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-8079 Matthew Henry on Leviticus 19 v 15: 'Judges and all in authority are here commanded to give verdict and judgment without partiality (v. 15); whether they were constituted judges by commission or made so in a particular case by the consent of both parties, as referees or arbitrators, they must do no wrong to either side, but, to the utmost of their skill, must go according to the rules of equity, having respect purely to the merits of the cause, and not to the characters of the person. Justice is not to be perverted, either, 1. In pity to the poor: Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, Exod.13 v 3. Whatever may be given to a poor man as an alms, yet let nothing be awarded him as his right but what he is legally entitled to, nor let his poverty excuse him from any just punishment for a fault. Or, 2. In veneration or fear of the mighty, in whose favour judges would be most frequently biased. The Jews say, "Judges were obliged by this law to be so impartial as not to let one of the contending parties sit while the other stood, nor permit one to say what he pleased and bid the other be short; see James 2 v 1-4.' Matthew Henry on Leviticus 19 v 15:

‘Judges and all in authority are here commanded to give verdict and judgment without partiality (v. 15); whether they were constituted judges by commission or made so in a particular case by the consent of both parties, as referees or arbitrators, they must do no wrong to either side, but, to the utmost of their skill, must go according to the rules of equity, having respect purely to the merits of the cause, and not to the characters of the person. Justice is not to be perverted, either,
1. In pity to the poor: Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, Exod.13 v 3. Whatever may be given to a poor man as an alms, yet let nothing be awarded him as his right but what he is legally entitled to, nor let his poverty excuse him from any just punishment for a fault. Or,
2. In veneration or fear of the mighty, in whose favour judges would be most frequently biased. The Jews say, “Judges were obliged by this law to be so impartial as not to let one of the contending parties sit while the other stood, nor permit one to say what he pleased and bid the other be short; see James 2 v 1-4.’

]]> By: Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-7936 Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:33:16 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-7936 Wow! What an interesting post. I hadn't ever noticed that verse before. Wow! What an interesting post. I hadn’t ever noticed that verse before.

]]> By: Jenny http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-7886 Jenny Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:31:58 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-7886 <a href='#comment-7845' rel="nofollow">@Michael</a> - Hi Michael! I agree with what you are saying, and also struggle at times with judging how others spend their money. My whole blog would fall into the category of “If you didn’t spend your money on _______ think how many children you could sponsor.” I'm glad you brought up the point of Mathew 6:3-4...before I started my little fundraiser, I really considered this verse and was doubting whether or not I should even do the whole "give up something publicly and get pledges for it" - I did NOT want to do it to get "praise from men" - because I'd much rather have a reward from God in heaven! But I also considered Matthew 5:16 "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." My angle on this was that I was tired of seeing unbelievers (ie. Bradjolina) giving money and time to help the poor, while many believers were doing nothing! Now I realize that, of course, celebrities are going to get more publicity. But there still is a large portion of believers who(obviously not the folks who comment on this blog, though! :) ) either a. don't think they can help or b. think they are too poor to help. And there ARE people in the US who, though not in extreme poverty, are struggling financially. So I wanted to "bring home" the point that if we, in the richer countries, simply give up a luxury/habit (that's not necessary for survival) that we can help a whole lot. How many people in the US make more than $10,066 a year? OK, I'm almost done politely ranting. :) But one more thing - I have a secondary purpose for doing a public fundraiser for Compassion (not quite an ulterior motive, but close! ;) ) I want unbelievers to see me or whoever else is a believer and goes 'one year without' (or makes any other sacrifice for the poor), to know that Christ is real and is changing our lives. And hopefully, one day they too will, "praise [our] Father in heaven". My blog, my motives, myself - all are WAY imperfect, but thank God that He lets us serve despite our imperfections! BTW, I took a peek at you blog - I really like the adoption timeline you put up. And the girls are beautiful! @Michael –
Hi Michael! I agree with what you are saying, and also struggle at times with judging how others spend their money.
My whole blog would fall into the category of “If you didn’t spend your money on _______ think how many children you could sponsor.” I’m glad you brought up the point of Mathew 6:3-4…before I started my little fundraiser, I really considered this verse and was doubting whether or not I should even do the whole “give up something publicly and get pledges for it” – I did NOT want to do it to get “praise from men” – because I’d much rather have a reward from God in heaven!
But I also considered Matthew 5:16 “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” My angle on this was that I was tired of seeing unbelievers (ie. Bradjolina) giving money and time to help the poor, while many believers were doing nothing! Now I realize that, of course, celebrities are going to get more publicity. But there still is a large portion of believers who(obviously not the folks who comment on this blog, though! :) ) either a. don’t think they can help or b. think they are too poor to help. And there ARE people in the US who, though not in extreme poverty, are struggling financially. So I wanted to “bring home” the point that if we, in the richer countries, simply give up a luxury/habit (that’s not necessary for survival) that we can help a whole lot. How many people in the US make more than $10,066 a year?
OK, I’m almost done politely ranting. :) But one more thing – I have a secondary purpose for doing a public fundraiser for Compassion (not quite an ulterior motive, but close! ;) ) I want unbelievers to see me or whoever else is a believer and goes ‘one year without’ (or makes any other sacrifice for the poor), to know that Christ is real and is changing our lives. And hopefully, one day they too will, “praise [our] Father in heaven”. My blog, my motives, myself – all are WAY imperfect, but thank God that He lets us serve despite our imperfections!
BTW, I took a peek at you blog – I really like the adoption timeline you put up. And the girls are beautiful!

]]> By: Michael http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-7845 Michael Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:11:19 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-7845 Amber, very well said. It has become almost fashionable to judge others based on how they spend their money (I've done it too). Many of the blogs I've read lately say things like, "If you didn't spend your money on _______ think how many children you could sponsor." "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." (Mathew 6:3-4) If we are not to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing, then surely we shouldn't be keeping track of others. Amber, very well said. It has become almost fashionable to judge others based on how they spend their money (I’ve done it too). Many of the blogs I’ve read lately say things like, “If you didn’t spend your money on _______ think how many children you could sponsor.”

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Mathew 6:3-4)

If we are not to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing, then surely we shouldn’t be keeping track of others.

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-7843 Mike Stephens Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:51:24 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-7843 <a href='#comment-7814' rel="nofollow">@Caitlin</a> - Caitlin just a quick encouragement: I heard on a radio station that any unbelief is infidelity towards God. And I am listening to this Christian rap song and the line says "We haven't suffered to the point of shedding blood like our Savior. So we shouldn't be unfaithful like Gomer was to Hosea" @Caitlin – Caitlin just a quick encouragement: I heard on a radio station that any unbelief is infidelity towards God. And I am listening to this Christian rap song and the line says

“We haven’t suffered to the point of shedding blood like our Savior.
So we shouldn’t be unfaithful like Gomer was to Hosea”

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/do-not-show-partiality-to-the-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-7842 Mike Stephens Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:38:36 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=4710#comment-7842 <a href='#comment-7810' rel="nofollow">@Chris Giovagnoni</a> - Chris thank you for the voice of reason!!! It is good to know the simple facts sometimes. I can easily see how kids would not or simply could not acclimatize. I may not even acclimatize!!! <a href='#comment-7814' rel="nofollow">@Caitlin</a> - <a href='#comment-7806' rel="nofollow">@Mike Stephens</a> - Caitlin you could practically swim to Haiti!!! ;) You are right on about visiting individually. My plan which almost never goes to plan was to visit the kids I sponsor once on the Sponsor Tour so I am in a group and also to share pictures videos etc. and to make connections with other sponsors. Nicaragua was huge in that arena for me. However like you said it is better I believe also to get to actually see the environment they live in, the project they actually go to and get to meet more of their family. Hindsight is 20/20 so it is easy to talk all day about my trip to Nicaragua but leading up to it I was a little on edge making sure it would really happen!!! I paid for the Philippines basically in 1 month!!! I had the faith but I didn't think I was going to get that Taxi job and have it work as it did!!! I prayed your surgery would go well and you would heal quickly!!! The only surgery I had was my 4 wisdom teeth and I was out just a few days I think. I have never been to Haiti Caitlin but I have been to the Dominican Republic twice (not with Compassion). You will have an AMAZING time!!! God always has unbelievable things in store!!! I am hoping to buy a video camera before the trip so if you send me your email I will gladly send you some videos of my trip, if you like, so you can get to see a little more of maybe what you can expect in Haiti or what it is like to go on the Sponsor Tour as opposed to individual. (michaelstephens56@yahoo.com) is my email. But either way you will find out firsthand soon enough!!! I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for YOU!!!" @Chris Giovagnoni – Chris thank you for the voice of reason!!! It is good to know the simple facts sometimes. I can easily see how kids would not or simply could not acclimatize. I may not even acclimatize!!!

@Caitlin – @Mike Stephens – Caitlin you could practically swim to Haiti!!! ;) You are right on about visiting individually. My plan which almost never goes to plan was to visit the kids I sponsor once on the Sponsor Tour so I am in a group and also to share pictures videos etc. and to make connections with other sponsors. Nicaragua was huge in that arena for me. However like you said it is better I believe also to get to actually see the environment they live in, the project they actually go to and get to meet more of their family. Hindsight is 20/20 so it is easy to talk all day about my trip to Nicaragua but leading up to it I was a little on edge making sure it would really happen!!! I paid for the Philippines basically in 1 month!!! I had the faith but I didn’t think I was going to get that Taxi job and have it work as it did!!! I prayed your surgery would go well and you would heal quickly!!! The only surgery I had was my 4 wisdom teeth and I was out just a few days I think. I have never been to Haiti Caitlin but I have been to the Dominican Republic twice (not with Compassion). You will have an AMAZING time!!! God always has unbelievable things in store!!! I am hoping to buy a video camera before the trip so if you send me your email I will gladly send you some videos of my trip, if you like, so you can get to see a little more of maybe what you can expect in Haiti or what it is like to go on the Sponsor Tour as opposed to individual. (michaelstephens56@yahoo.com) is my email. But either way you will find out firsthand soon enough!!!

I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for YOU!!!”

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