A Weekend of Justice

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 15:11

A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
- Proverbs 22:9

If 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.