The Poor

- 2 things right off the bat about this topic…
1. There are a lot of verses in the book of Proverbs, and in the Bible on this topic.
- those of you who know me know that I believe many of these verses and themes have been conveniently ignored by conservative evangelicals, and I think we need to face up to that.
2. There are many different ways to "slice this pie". In other words, the verses could be organized in a number of different ways.
- I've tried to lay this out in a way that is most helpful for the average person in our class.

I. The Right Attitude Toward the Poor

A. Do not look down upon them

Proverbs 14:21

INPUT - What are some ways a person might "despise" his poor neighbor?

INPUT - Who is your neighbor, biblically speaking?

B. Be concerned because God is concerned

Proverbs 22:22-23

INPUT - What are some of the "legal" ways to rob the poor today?
[develop the issue of paying fair and generous wages]
[if time discuss paying laborers in the pool business]

C. Seek laws that are fair and just for all

Proverbs 28:3 [cf. NIV], 29:7, 29:14, 31:9
INPUT - How would you summarize these four verses? How can we act on these verses today?

[develop --- we all need to evaluate our hearts in light of these verses. Some of us have become cynical and hardened toward those less fortunate than us---if time discuss the issue of being "duped" as a pastor.]

- I realize that someone might be thinking, but PV, you're discussing the "poor" as if it is a homogenous category, when it is not. I agree, which is why we also need to have:

II. The Right Understanding of the Poor

- The Bible gives different reasons people might be poor.

A. Some are poor for reasons outside their control.

Proverbs 13:23, cf. Isa. 3:13-15, 10:1-4, Amos 2:6-7, 5:11-12, 8:4-10

INPUT - Reasons a person may be poor that are outside his control?

B. Some are poor because of their own poor choices.

1. They won't work.

Prov. 10:4, 20:13

2. They love pleasure

Prov. 21:17

3. They will not control their appetites

Prov. 23:21

4. They did not respond to their parent's teaching and discipline.

Prov. 13:18

5. They talk but they don't act.

Prov. 14:23

6. They make hasty and unwise financial decisions.

Prov. 21:5

- so there's no question that sometimes [perhaps many times] people are poor because of bad choices they have made. But what should our attitude be toward people who have made bad choices?

III. The Right Ministry

- How should this affect us as a church?

A. Be sure the family is involved if possible.

I Timothy 5:4, 8

B. Try to determine why the person in the position, and whether he is willing to do his share.

- cf. Gal. 6:1-6 [help with burdens too heavy to bear without removing the whole load]

C. Remember that our view of the poor reflects our view of God.

Prov. 19:17

Adult Bible Fellowship
The Poor
Proverbs Series #36

I. The Right ______________ Toward the Poor
A. Do not look ________ upon them.
Proverbs 14:21
INPUT - What are some ways a person might "despise" his poor neighbor?
INPUT - Who is your neighbor, biblically speaking?
B. Be ________________ because God is _________________.
Proverbs 22:22-23
INPUT - What are some of the "legal" ways to rob the poor today?
C. Seek laws that are _________ and ________ for all
INPUT - How would you summarize these four verses? How can we act on these verses today?

II. The Right ___________________ of the Poor
– The Bible gives different reasons people might be poor.
A. Some are poor for reasons ______________ their control.
Proverbs 13:23, cf. Isaiah 3:13-15, 10:1-4, Amos 2:6-7, 5:11-12, 8:4-10
INPUT - Reasons a person may be poor that are outside his control?
B. Some are poor because of their _______ _________ choices.
1. They _________ work.
Proverbs 10:4, 20:13
2. They _______ pleasure.
Proverbs 21:17
3. They will not control their ________________.
Proverbs 23:21
4. They did not ______________ to their parent's teaching and discipline.
Proverbs 13:18
5. They ________ but they don't ________.
Proverbs 14:23
6. They make hasty and unwise ________________ decisions.
Proverbs 21:5

III. The Right ______________
– How should this affect us as a church?
A. Be sure the ____________ is involved if possible.
I Timothy 5:4, 8
B. Try to determine _______ the person is in this position, and whether he is willing to do his ___________.
cf. Galatians 6:1-6 [help with burdens too heavy to bear without removing the whole load]
C. Remember that our view of the _________ reflects our view of ________.
Proverbs 19:17