Here are some notes from Dr. Eric Seibert’s sermon, “An Invitation to Do Justice”, given at the Grantham Church this past Sunday. He preached on Luke 16:19-31, the story of the rich ruler and Lazarus.
The Bible is insistent that people of faith are called to do justice.
We have a biblical mandate to care for the poor and needy.
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.
– Deuteronomy 15:11A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
– Proverbs 22:9If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he too will cry out and not be answered.
– Proverbs 21:13
Sodom was destroyed, not for their sexual immorality, but for ignoring the needs 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.
– Ezekiel 16:49
How can you call yourself a Christian if you see the needs but do nothing to help?
We have committed a sin of indifference.
To half of the world’s population, I AM the rich man.
cindy agoncillo 