Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

c. John 13.34-35

III. Implications for a Biblical Understanding of Urban Mission

Do the Poor Need the Wealthy, or Vice Versa?

When those who are ‘righteous’ and ‘rich’ do experience the content of the gospel as defined by what it means to the poor, then the power of the gospel is shown. When the rich young ruler turned away, Jesus commented: ‘How hard it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God …What is impossible for man is possible for God’ (Luke 19.24–27). This biblical perspective confronts the view that the poor need the generosity of the wealthy as endless receivers of aid. Rather the wealthy need the poor, to learn from them the nature and meaning of the deliverance God brings to both. The basis of the sharing is when those separated by distorted relationships discover that they both equally need each other. Only Jesus Christ can bring this about. ‘Accept one another as Christ has accepted you’ (Rom. 15.7). ~ C. M. N. Sugden. “Poverty and Wealth.” The New Dictionary of Theology . S. B. Ferguson, ed. (electronic ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. p. 524.

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A. Proclaim the Good News to the poor: imitate the ministry of Jesus by proclaiming the Good News to the poor .

1. Respect them as those who have been chosen by God as heirs of the Kingdom, James 2.5.

2. Serve them as those whom Jesus has unqualified identification with: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the imprisoned, the naked, Matt. 25.31-46.