Message Notes

(I) CONSIDERATION OF THE POOR

1. A Divine Commandment

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly led him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs…
You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land;
Therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in the land.”  Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 10-11

a) To be Sympathetic to the poor

b) To be Gracious to the poor

c) To be Generous to the poor

d) To Guard against having negative feelings concerning giving to the poor

2. A Commandment with a Blessing Attached

“Because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand…”   Deuteronomy 15:10b

a) Direct relationship

“Because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you…”  Deuteronomy 15:10b

b) Extent of blessing

i) “In all your works” (Current)

ii) “In all to which you put your hand” (Future)

(II) CONSIDERATION OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE LORD

1. Deliverance

“The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble”  Psalm 41:1b

2. Preservation

“The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive”   Psalm 41:2a

3. Singularly blessed

“And he will be blessed upon the earth”  Psalm 41:2b

4. Strength

“The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness,
You will sustain him on his sickbed”  Psalm 41:3

(III) CONSIDERATION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO GIVE

1. Mindful of the Lord’s commandment

2. Mindful of the plight of the poor

3. Mindful of the loving promises of God

4. Mindful of all that the Lord has blessed us with

IF THOU DOST NEED

If Thou dost need a hand today

To clasp another hand on life’s rough way;

Take mine, dear Lord, take mine.

If Thou art needing feet to tread

In paths where sin to woe is wed;

Use mine, dear Lord, use mine;

If Thou art needing lips today

For words that help and heal, to say;

Fill mine, dear Lord, fill mine.

If Thou art needing eyes to see

When souls begin to stray from Thee;

Fit mine, dear Lord, fit mine.

But cleanse, dear Lord, and purify,

And then each talent sanctify.

Of mine, dear Lord, of mine.

– Mary E. Kendrew –