TSTEED STEED’S SERMONS This PowerPoint based sermon is an example of the material being developed by Tom Steed and being distributed by PowerPoint based sermon is an example of the material being developed by Tom Steed and being distributed by Although copyrighted, users may present this material in their own churches provided that they leave the footnote at the bottom of the page.Although copyrighted, users may present this material in their own churches provided that they leave the footnote at the bottom of the page. This material may be edited but may not be edited and redistributed. If someone wants a copy you must either give them the original version or send them to the webpage to obtain their own version. You may remove this page from your slide show prior to your presentation.This material may be edited but may not be edited and redistributed. If someone wants a copy you must either give them the original version or send them to the webpage to obtain their own version. You may remove this page from your slide show prior to your presentation. Some notes are included with this presentation. View the presentation in the “Notes mode” to see the notes text. View the presentation in “presentation” mode to see the special transitions.Some notes are included with this presentation. View the presentation in the “Notes mode” to see the notes text. View the presentation in “presentation” mode to see the special transitions. Visit for resources for Preachers and Sunday School teachers that use the computers & digital projectors to teach.Visit for resources for Preachers and Sunday School teachers that use the computers & digital projectors to teach.

TSTEED Attitudes Toward the Poor

TSTEED Proverbs 22:1 & 2 “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.” “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.”

TSTEED Proverbs 22:7-9 “7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (NIV) “7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (NIV)

TSTEED Proverbs 22:22-23 “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.” “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.”

TSTEED James 2:1-17

TSTEED Definition of the Poor: Someone who is struggling to meet the minimum needs of life: Food, clothing, health care, and shelterSomeone who is struggling to meet the minimum needs of life: Food, clothing, health care, and shelter Webster: Having little or no money, goods, or other means of support.Webster: Having little or no money, goods, or other means of support.

TSTEED Discernment “Does this include everyone who makes a request for help?” “Does this include everyone who makes a request for help?” “Am I obligated to help everyone who squanders their opportunities or mismanages their life?” “Am I obligated to help everyone who squanders their opportunities or mismanages their life?”

TSTEED True Poverty Third World PeopleThird World People HomelessHomeless

TSTEED Observations Long life and limited resources can make a person needy.Long life and limited resources can make a person needy. Poor health can make us needy.Poor health can make us needy. One family here spends $12,000 a year on medicine.One family here spends $12,000 a year on medicine.

TSTEED Wrong Attitudes Toward the Poor Take advantage of them.Take advantage of them. Look down on them.Look down on them. Blame them.Blame them. Coddle them? - NoCoddle them? - No Help them? - YesHelp them? - Yes

TSTEED Work To Eat 2 Thessalonians 3:10 “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”2 Thessalonians 3:10 “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” Lev 23:22 By gleaning in the fields, even the poor had to go out and pick up what was left.Lev 23:22 By gleaning in the fields, even the poor had to go out and pick up what was left.

TSTEED Right Attitudes Toward the Poor. Love and help them—Jesus did!Love and help them—Jesus did! Treat them as human equals with dignity and respect.Treat them as human equals with dignity and respect. Leave some of our prosperity to them: “Leave the corners of the field.”Leave some of our prosperity to them: “Leave the corners of the field.”

TSTEED How Can We Treat The Poor Properly?

TSTEED Don’t Oppress The Poor: Be honest in your dealings. Be honest in your dealings.

TSTEED Daily Interactions. Treat every person with dignity. Treat every person with dignity.

TSTEED Our Priorities. Share with others. Share with others.

TSTEED Working for Justice Fair Laws and Programs. Fair Laws and Programs. Balance giving help and getting them to help themselves. Balance giving help and getting them to help themselves.

TSTEED Help People Help Themselves “Teach Them to Fish.” “Teach Them to Fish.”

TSTEED Teaching Some of the Cardinal Virtues of Christianity Accountability.Accountability. Self-control.Self-control. Dependability.Dependability. Deferred gratificationDeferred gratification Honesty.Honesty. Hard work.Hard work.

TSTEED Sharing With the Needy. Missions.Missions. Local Benevolence Programs.Local Benevolence Programs. The Church Pantry.The Church Pantry. Individual Actions.Individual Actions.

TSTEED Sharing “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God ‑ fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Acts 10“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God ‑ fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Acts 10

TSTEED Sharing “3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”“3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”

TSTEED Conclusion: The Story of the King and the Beggar.The Story of the King and the Beggar.