Message Notes

(I) THE SAD PLIGHT OF THE POOR

1. He is so poor he needs to borrow money to purchase food

2. He is so poor that all he can pledge is his garment

3. Specific mention of three categories of people:-

a) A hired servant, poor and needy         Deuteronomy 24:14

b) The stranger           Deuteronomy 24:19

c) The fatherless           Deuteronomy 24:19

d) The widow         Deuteronomy  24:19

(II) WORLDLY ATTITUDES TO BE DISDAINED

1. A mercenary approach

“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you,
you shall not charge him interest”      Exodus 22:25

2. An unfeeling approach

“If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge…”    Exodus 22:26a

(III) BIBLICAL  TEACHING CONCERNING “THE POOR”

1. Recognition of The Poor

God regard’s them as “My people”  Exodus 22:25

2. Regard for The Poor

Laws were promulgated to protect the poor

3. Rights of The Poor

“If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For it is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in?” Exodus 22:26-27

4. Recourse of The Poor

“And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.” Exodus 22:27b

(IV) BIBLICAL ATTITUDES ENJOINED

1. Dignity to be shown towards The Poor

“When you lend your brother anything, you shall not into his house to get his pledge.
You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge to you” Deuteronomy 24:10-11

2. Oppression precluded

“You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, where one of your brethren or one of the aliens who is in your land within your gates”  Deuteronomy 24:14

3. Kindness to be exercised

“And of the man is poor, you shall not keep his pledge overnight.
You shall in any case return the pledge to him again when the sun goes down,
that he may sleep in his own garment and bless you;
And it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God.”  Deuteronomy 24:12-13

IF I HAD BUT ONE YEAR TO LIVE

If I had but one year to live

One year to help, one year to give;

One year to love, one year to bless;

One year of better things toi stress;

One year to laugh, one year to smile;

To brighten earth a little while;

One year to sing my Maker’s praise;

One year to fill with work my days;

I think that I should try to spend each day

In just the self-same way

That I do now.

For, from afar

That call may come across the bar

At anytime, and I must be

Prepared for eternity.

So if I have but a year to live,

Or just one day in which to give

A pleasant smile, a helping hand;

A mind that tries to understand

A fellow traveler when in need,

’Tis one with me.

I’ll take no heed,

But strive each day to fill

And serve my gracious Master’s will.

– Anonymous –