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| Lighthouse Ministries, Lakeland, FL |
The
complaint is valid. Jesus’ half-brother scolded believers for catering to the better off folks in their group. Jesus’ disciples had a fund for relieving
people who were materially poor. The Old Testament prophets hammered out warnings to kings and judges (shepherds) who misused the poor. The Law itself insisted
on provision for the poor, whether Jew or alien. It is most likely, therefore,
the King’s footprint statement about preaching
the gospel to the poor included and may even have focused on this group of
people.
In
a fallen and rebellious world there will always be poverty, and it is not
always because people are "lazy.” Weather, pests, and plagues take their toll. Greed,
politics, power, and injustice (I know that sounds redundant) ride on the backs
of people who have no means of appeal.
When
the Holy Spirit began Christ’s Church he brought in many poor; but he also
brought in those gifted with wealth and positions of power. The design was for
a mutual and willing sharing. In so doing, the gospel of forgiveness and
Kingdom destiny, also contained the atmosphere of a Kingdom koinonia (fellowship) while living in
enemy territory. But even in that feature, the matter of forgiveness and
destiny has reigned supreme; for there have been times when rich and poor alike have been impoverished by persecution. Alas, sometimes it happened, and it will happen
again, under the delusion that by such harassment God is being done a favor.
This
brings us to the overarching theme of Jesus’ footprint. It led to him! And the encounter overwhelmed those who followed him with hope wrapped in jaw dropping mystery.
SERIES
INDEX: The
Mysterious Footprint of Godliness
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