Reclaiming Christmas, Part II

Some Biblical, theological and ethical thoughts on why we do our Reclaiming Christmas Project:

From Ronald J. Sider: Cry Justice; Rich Christians in An Age of Hunger

1. God loves the poor. God:

• Chooses to use the poor: James 2:5-6; 1 Cor.l:28-29

• Blesses the poor: Luke 6:20-21

• Punishes the rich who oppress or ignore the poor: Deut.27:19; Isaiah 3:14-15; 10:1-4; Ezekiel 16:49-50; Amos 4:1-2; Micah 3:1-4,9-11; 6:9-15; Luke 6:24-25; 16:19-31; 18:22-25; James 5: 1-5

• Defends the poor: Psalms 109:30-31; 140:12

• Identifies with the poor: Prov.14:31; 19:17; Matt.25:31-46; 2 Cor.8:9

2. God is at work liberating the poor and oppressed: Luke 1 :52-53; Ps.146:7-9

• Exodus: God hears the cries of the oppressed and delivers them from slavery: Ex.3:7-10; Ex.20:2

• Prophets: The prophets condemn injustice as a violation of the Covenant-Jeremiah 5:26-29; 7:5-7; 22:13-17; Ezekiel 45:9-10; Amos 6:4-7; 8:4-7; Isaiah 5:8-13; 10:1-3

• Incarnation: Jesus defines his mission as good news for the poor and true liberation for the oppressed: Luke 4:18-19; 7: 18-23

3. God expects us to be co-participants in God's liberating work: Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:17

• Action on behalf of the poor is an expression of true faith and love: Matt.25:31-46; James 2:15-17; 1John 3:17-18
  

• Worship is a farce without action for justice: Amos 5:21-24; Isaiah 1 :10-17; 58:6-8

• Justice is a requirement of Covenant love:

  • The Year of Jubilee: Leviticus 25 :8-24

  • Sabbatical year, agricultural tithing and gleaning laws: Ex. 21:2; 23:11; Leviticus 19:9-10; 25:2-7; Deut.14:28-29; 15:1-15; 24:10-14; 24:17-22; Deut. 26:12-13; 27:19

  • Sharing in the early church: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37; 2 Cor.8:13-15; 9:6-15

4. Trust in riches and possessions is inconsistent with trust in God

• Riches are an empty pursuit and spiritual danger, leading us to forsake the Lord and causing both anxiety and human conflict: Deut. 6:4-12; 32:15; Prov.11:28; 18:10-11; 23:4-5; Eccl.4:4-6; 5:10-12; Hosea 10:1-2; 13:4-6; Matt.13:22; 19:16-30; Luke 12:13-31; Eph.5:5; 1 Tim.6:6-10; James 4:1-4; 1 John 2:15-17

• There are many things more valuable than riches: Ps.119:36-37; Prov.11:7; 15: 6-7; 16:16; 22:1; 1 Tim.6:17-19

• We cannot serve both God and money: Mt.6:19-21,24; 19:16-30

• Simple trust in God's goodness and providence produces genuine contentment that liberates us from anxiety: Matthew 6:25-33; Hebrews 13:5; Phil.4:11-1

• God's people possess wealth for a purpose: to share with others: Deut.14:27-29; 15:4-11; 24:17-22; 26:12-13; Prov.22:9; Ezek.16:48-50; Is.58:6-10; Lk.3:9-11; 14:12-14; Acts 20:32-35; Rom.12:9-13; 2 Cor.8:13-15; 9:8-13; 1 John 3:16-18

Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone.

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Information provided by the Jeff St. Peacemakers Team