Mosaic Mansfield

In this context, when we think of neglecting the poor, I believe we too often narrow our scope in such a way as to not fully embrace or understand what poor can mean and what it is that we can do - and how. Now, I do not want to neglect the most basic (and I believe intended understanding of the word “poor”) and therefore somehow justify the neglect of the truly needy - (and that is, poor, as to have little on which to live or sustain a healthy (or happy) life). So I believe it is vital that we not lose sight of one for the other, but in fact, see, acknowledge, engage with, and embrace all forms of poverty…

With that being said, in the USA, though that type of (material) poverty certainly exists, giving us an obligation to be sensitive to and give toward it, for most of us there are other poverties that we are exposed and even experience daily where the same principles of loving kindly apply in terms of our being ready and able to meet the need as it presents itself, to give lovingly, kindly, wisely… according to the need.

Mark 1:40- 45 Jesus reached out and touched…
● Glory came to filth…
● Holiness came to wretchedness
● Perfect submission, obedience, presence came to rebellion
● If anyone could have sniffed at someone with contempt, would it not be the perfect?

What is poor? Without… certainly


How do view, we see and meet the poor?
● Outward appearances… but there is an...
● Inward truth

Has not God chosen the poor…?
James is leveling the field…
This is a matter of the heart...

But also: Bent over, destitute, nothing at all to give, “poor in the estimation of the world” - the have a less encumbered road to the Kingdom

How does God view the poor?


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Love is kind. What is kind?
● Kindness and consideration
● Empathy and the golden rule
● Attitude, it’s all about attitude -
○ what we have been given, we have been given…
○ therefore it is this is not yours, it has been given to you…
○ yes to enjoy, with others


Kind: full of service to others, gentle… pleasant, mild, benevolent, good, will furnish what is useful… a love that sweet to all

Love is kind…God is kind to the wicked and ungrateful, romans 2 brings us back
● It is His kindness that brings us back


Outward appearances, Inward truth…

What’s going on inside of us..

Unless we recognize our own poverty we will have difficulty seeing and treating the poor with dignity, not just handouts

Where is kindness born - God (Gal 5:22) it is His nature and character, so, God, certainly, but in us, by us? Humility, a right view of self.

And right view of what you have:
● For who makes you different from anyone else?
● What do you have that you did not receive?
● And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Rom 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

This truth breeds in us an...

1Cor 4:7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

John 3:27John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

Awareness - sometimes it’s tough just to be aware of what is going on around us…
● Slow down
● Pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, heart to empathize, wisdom to discern, eyes to invite, hands extend, feet go, stuff to give
● Look and listen
● Open your heart
● Loosen your grip
Kindness gives