2. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13

3. God is for the poor.
He wants them to be cared for.
He wants us to care for them.

4. Luke 4: Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised Him.

5. 16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read,
17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written:

6. 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

7. 20 Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

8. Jesus’ Mission = Good News for the poor God’s Presence = Revealed through the activity of God’s people in the world

9. Generational poverty: Poverty that exists within a family or group for two or more generations. Situational poverty: Circumstances outside our control, i.e. a child born in poverty, loss of employment, divorce, mental illness, and physical disability.

10. Poverty of Wealth or Materialism: Wealth creates comfort and complacency where we fail to see other people’s needs, AND fail to see our own need and purpose in following Jesus.

11. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

12. Tension What do we do with the very real tension between caring for the poor like Jesus commands and not enabling them to remain poor by just giving handouts?

13. Teach good stewardship. – live by example.
Give, but put conditions on the gift.
Choose not to give.
Pray for wisdom… and a generous spirit.

14. “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Some who don’t and can’t.
Some who can and don’t.

15. The Giving Center/ Lighthouse Community Church
Downtown Breakfasts
Youth Horizons
World Impact
Episcopal Migration Ministries

16. To Do List
Inventory priorities
Remember it’s not my stuff!
Align actions with God’s priorities
Commit to learning about poverty
Check with Jana or Linda!