Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

P ART III: P LANTING U RBAN C HURCHES • 295

b. Ps. 41.1-3 (ESV) – Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.

c. Prov. 19.17 (ESV) – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

2. Jesus’ unique identification with the poor

a. Matt. 25.35-40 (ESV) – “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” b. Luke 18.22 (ESV) – When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

3. The early Church’s transparent commitment to the city, the poor, and the disenfranchised

a. Heb. 13.16 (ESV) – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

b. Rom. 12.13 (ESV) – Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

c. 2 Cor. 9.12 (ESV) – For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.