Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Sell everything? It doesn't say that. But it does say sell. It does say to give to the poor. And it doesn't tell you when to stop. Where is your treasure? What are your prized possessions?
Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors like we love ourselves. When was the last time we went without food, water, a bed, or even just internet or tv? Do our neighbors have all of these things? Some of them, yes. But if you're reading this, you're rich. And kids are still starving around the world.
But let's face it, giving money to the poor is messy, and if you're just giving money, you're hardly helping. Most poor people who ask you for money use it for alcohol or drugs. I almost never give away my money to these people, instead I ask what they want, and if I can give it, and it's something that will help them, I'll get it. Ideally, if someone is asking for food, I get to take them to lunch. One time this lead to me letting a homeless guy who had been kicked out of all the shelters stay over, even though his daughter told me not to, that he deserved it. I was so nervous he would rob me blind, I even slept by the front door, but nothing happened. In the morning he went on his way.
Why are the poor God's treasure? I mean, doesn't God like rich people? I think people in general are God's treasure, but God often has harsh words for rich people. The "sin of Sodom" a city that according to Genesis, God destroyed because of its sin, was that they didn't take care of the poor: ‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."
"With all your power, what would you do?" (the Flaming Lips)
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