ICEL The poor and our open hands Yesterday: died of extreme poverty: 8000 children died of Malaria, 5000 mothers and fathers died of Tuberculosis 7500 young adults died of HIV/Aids Thousands more died of diarrhea, lung infection and other killer diseases that prey on bodies weakened by chronic hunger

ICEL United nations :Millennium development goals 1) Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2) Achieve universal primary education 3) Promote gender equality and empower women 4) Reduce child mortality 5) Improve maternal health 6) Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases 7) Ensure environmental sustainability 8) Develop Global Partnership for development What is extreme poverty? Not able to get to the first step of the development ladder. Sub-Sahara >45% of the population (= 300 million) Challenge: Help people to get a foothold on the on the bottom rung.

ICEL Yes but… Yes, but… did not the Lord say: The poor you will always have with you…:? (Matthew 26:11) Deuteronomy 15:11 Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. James 1:27 James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

ICEL Macro or micro? Do not get intimidated by macro-economic figures, but do not run away from thee realities either: Pakistan today, Haiti yesterday Live with the Word: See what God has to say about the poor, and ask what you can do personally. Perhaps just pray and give. (Cornelius) Be “openhanded” Deut 15:11

ICEL The poor: Being deprived of food, health, shelter. The Bible extends the needy to the weak and unprotected in society: The poor, the fatherless, the widow, the orphan, the alien, the oppressed. Isaiah 10 1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, 1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, 2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. 2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.

ICEL Am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4 Genesis 4 8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Before: 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door... Romans 3:23 Romans 3:23 … all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

ICEL The poor and justice The Bible has a lot to say about justice: The law of Moses: “Do not…” Exodus 23:3, (principle of justice) …and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. Exodus 23:3, 6 Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits… Leviticus 19:15 Leviticus 19:15 " 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

ICEL Justice corrupted Ezekiel 22:29 Ezekiel 22:29 29 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice. Amos 2:7 Amos 2:7 They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Ecclesiastes 5:8 Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

ICEL In His Image In his image: Andy Matheson, Oasis For God all are equal and have the same value, for we are all created in His image. Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Proverbs 22:2 Proverbs 22:2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.

ICEL Promises to the poor: Psalm 22:26 The poor will eat and be satisfied… Psalm 113:7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap Isaiah 11:4 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Isaiah 14:30 Isaiah 14:30 30 The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety. 30 The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety.

ICEL James 2:5 James 2:5 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? Promise to us: Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

ICEL One day… Judgment Apostolic Creed: …from hence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. …from hence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. N.T Wright (Bishop of Durham): Surprised by Hope ….Judgment day coming! Mal 3:3,5 3 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap…. 5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify… against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.

ICEL The story of Cornelius (Acts 10) 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment… 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. 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. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." Where will our generosity, our commitment to help the needy lead us? “ Open hands’