The greatest leader

 John 3:28-30

King James Version

28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, 

that I said, 

I am not the Christ, 

but that I am sent before him.

29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: 

but the friend of the bridegroom, 

which standeth and heareth him, 

rejoiceth greatly 

because of the bridegroom's voice: 

this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30 He must increase, 

but I must decrease.

About 21 years ago, I was contemplating the traits of leadership.

I felt it so strongly in my heart.

What makes a true leader?

This came to mind:

"The greatest leaders are those

who cause others to know."

What made me think that?

I felt important things were being withheld.

That most people are purposely kept, in ignorance.

So that only a few elite, would know.

And thus, control everything.

I asked myself, "What could I do about it?"

I didn't know where to begin.

Little did I know, GOD was listening.

And observing.

Where would my concerns take me?

So, He let me be.

He made me research His truth.

Which I did, non-stop.

Not thinking it was GOD I sought.

He let me go through the necessary process.

No matter how painstaking it may be.

No matter I used up all my money, for research.

He knew I was on to something.

He knew I'd find it.

THROUGH JESUS.

He allowed me to make tons of mistakes.

When He saw me good, and ready, He made me born again.

Now, I know what TRUE leadership means.

A born again is taught by SPIRIT, and SCRIPTURE.

We don't think on our own.

Our lives are offered in GOD's service.

Abiding by GOD's will.

We pray to JESUS for guidance.

Every single moment.

John the Baptist defined true leadership, on the verses above.

Wise Jethro, father-in-law to Moses, defines it here:

Exodus 18:19-24

King James Version

19 Hearken now unto my voice, 

I will give thee counsel, 

and God shall be with thee: 

Be thou for the people to God-ward, 

that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, 

and shalt shew them the way 

wherein they must walk,

 and the work that they must do.

21 Moreover thou shalt provide 

out of all the people able men, 

such as fear God, 

men of truth, 

hating covetousness; 

and place such over them, 

to be rulers of thousands, 

and rulers of hundreds, 

rulers of fifties, 

and rulers of tens:

22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: 

and it shall be, 

that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, 

but every small matter they shall judge: 

so shall it be easier for thyself, 

and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23 If thou shalt do this thing, 

and God command thee so, 

then thou shalt be able to endure, 

and all this people shall also go 

to their place in peace.

24 So Moses hearkened 

to the voice of his father in law, 

and did all that he had said.

Moses defines it here:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

King James Version

4 Hear, O Israel: 

The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thine heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, 

which I command thee this day, 

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently 

unto thy children, 

and shalt talk of them 

when thou sittest in thine house,

 and when thou walkest by the way, 

and when thou liest down, 

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign 

upon thine hand, 

and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them 

upon the posts of thy house, 

and on thy gates.

The LORD JESUS defines it here:

Matthew 20:25-28

King James Version

25 But Jesus called them unto him, 

and said, 

Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles 

exercise dominion over them, 

and they that are great 

exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: 

but whosoever will be great among you, 

let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, 

let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man 

came not to be ministered unto, 

but to minister, 

and to give his life a ransom for many.

Only JESUS can be called the GREATEST leader.

For He had authority.

Matthew 7:28-29

King James Version

28 And it came to pass, 

when Jesus had ended these sayings, 

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, 

and not as the scribes.

That authority, He ascribed to the FATHER.

John 12:44-50

King James Version

44 Jesus cried and said, 

He that believeth on me, 

believeth not on me, 

but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on me 

should not abide in darkness.

47 And if any man hear my words, 

and believe not, 

I judge him not:

 for I came not to judge the world, 

but to save the world.

48 He that rejecteth me, 

and receiveth not my words, 

hath one that judgeth him: 

the word that I have spoken, 

the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; 

but the Father which sent me, 

he gave me a commandment, 

what I should say, 

and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment 

is life everlasting: 

whatsoever I speak therefore, 

even as the Father said unto me, 

so I speak.

John 14:10-11

King James Version

10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, 

and the Father in me? 

the words that I speak unto you 

I speak not of myself: 

but the Father that dwelleth in me, 

he doeth the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, 

and the Father in me: 

or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Now, the question is, are our leaders that way?

Do they conform to the laws of GOD?

Do they have real heart for the poor?

On giving alms

 Matthew 6:1-4

King James Version

6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, 

to be seen of them: 

otherwise ye have no reward of your Father 

which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, 

do not sound a trumpet before thee, 

as the hypocrites do in the synagogues 

and in the streets, 

that they may have glory of men. 

Verily I say unto you, 

They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, 

let not thy left hand know 

what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: 

and thy Father which seeth in secret 

himself shall reward thee openly.

Do we give alms, to beggars?

What if it doesn't go to them?

What if, they've been forced to beg, by syndicates?

I was constantly faced with that question, for I DEARLY wanted the person to be able to keep that money for themselves.

Thing is, there are syndicates dropping them off, and herding them back, into a van.

I saw that, and I felt so disgusted.

How can we feed off the misfortune of our brothers and sisters?

How can we take advantage of their physical disabilities, and further humiliate them?

Why doesn't the government protect them?

Oh, I can feel GOD's anger at this.

Finally, I found answers to my question.

I found comfort in this verse:

Proverbs 28:8

King James Version

8 He that by usury and unjust gain 

increaseth his substance, 

he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

Using another Bible translation, it means:

Proverbs 28:8

New Living Translation

8 Income from charging high interest rates

    will end up in the pocket of someone 

who is kind to the poor.

That's comforting to know.

Accumulated wealth, from dishonest or cruel gain, will eventually go back to the poor.

From someone who really cares for them.

How wonderful the WORD of GOD is!

JESUS assured those suffering:

Matthew 20:16

King James Version

16 So the last shall be first, 

and the first last: 

for many be called, 

but few chosen.

Luke 6:20-21

King James Version

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, 

and said, 

Blessed be ye poor: 

for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: 

for ye shall be filled. 

Blessed are ye that weep now: 

for ye shall laugh.

Beware those who oppress the poor.

GOD's wrath will surely be upon you!

Proverbs 14:31

King James Version

31 He that oppresseth the poor 

reproacheth his Maker: 

but he that honoureth him 

hath mercy on the poor.

How can we stop the cycle?

How can we prevent the humiliation of GOD's precious people?

What can we do, for our suffering brothers and sisters?

We must turn to JESUS immediately.

That we may be guided by His SPIRIT.

That we may be guided into wisdom.

That we may know GOD's will.

This blog is my own way of reflecting upon solutions to the plight of the poor.

SPIRIT and SCRIPTURE will teach me.

It has always to be from SPIRIT's perspective.

Man has limited view.

Born agains wait for SPIRIT to guide us.

Related material:

USURY money

LAZARUS and the RICH MAN

How JESUS loved the poor

 Luke 19:10

King James Version

10 For the Son of man is come to seek 

and to save that which was lost.

The poor in this post refers to the impoverished, the downtrodden, the sick, the forgotten.

Here's how JESUS loved the poor:

Matthew 5:42

King James Version

42 Give to him that asketh thee, 

and from him that would borrow of thee 

turn not thou away.

Matthew 19:21

King James Version

21 Jesus said unto him, 

If thou wilt be perfect, 

go and sell that thou hast, 

and give to the poor, 

and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: 

and come and follow me.

Matthew 25:31-46

King James Version

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, 

and all the holy angels with him, 

then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: 

and he shall separate them one from another, 

as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, 

but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them 

on his right hand, 

Come, ye blessed of my Father, 

inherit the kingdom prepared for you 

from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: 

I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: 

I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: 

I was sick, and ye visited me: 

I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, 

saying, 

Lord, 

when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? 

or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? 

or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, 

or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one 

of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them 

on the left hand, 

Depart from me, 

ye cursed, into everlasting fire, 

prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: 

I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: 

naked, and ye clothed me not: 

sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, 

Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

 or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, 

or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye did it not to one 

of the least of these, 

ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away 

into everlasting punishment: 

but the righteous into life eternal.

Mark 14:7

King James Version

7 For ye have the poor with you always, 

and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: 

but me ye have not always.

Luke 3:10-11

King James Version

10 And the people asked him, saying, 

What shall we do then?

11 He answereth and saith unto them, 

He that hath two coats, 

let him impart to him that hath none; 

and he that hath meat, 

let him do likewise.

Luke 3:12-13

King James Version

12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, 

and said unto him, 

Master, 

what shall we do?

13 And he said unto them, 

Exact no more 

than that which is appointed you.

Luke 4:17-21

King James Version

17 And there was delivered unto him 

the book of the prophet Esaias. 

And when he had opened the book, 

he found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

because he hath anointed me 

to preach the gospel to the poor; 

he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, 

to preach deliverance to the captives, 

and recovering of sight to the blind, 

to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book, 

and he gave it again to the minister, 

and sat down. 

And the eyes of all them that were 

in the synagogue 

were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them, 

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Luke 6:20

King James Version

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, 

and said, 

Blessed be ye poor: 

for yours is the kingdom of God.

Luke 7:22

King James Version

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, 

Go your way, 

and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; 

how that the blind see, 

the lame walk, 

the lepers are cleansed, 

the deaf hear, 

the dead are raised, 

to the poor the gospel is preached.

Luke 6:21

King James Version

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: 

for ye shall be filled. 

Blessed are ye that weep now: 

for ye shall laugh.

Luke 12:33-34

King James Version

33 Sell that ye have, 

and give alms; 

provide yourselves bags which wax not old, 

a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, 

where no thief approacheth, 

neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, 

there will your heart be also.

Luke 14:13-14

King James Version

13 But when thou makest a feast, 

call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14 And thou shalt be blessed; 

for they cannot recompense thee: 

for thou shalt be recompensed 

at the resurrection of the just.

Luke 21:1-4

King James Version

21 And he looked up, 

and saw the rich men 

casting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he saw also a certain poor widow 

casting in thither two mites.

3 And he said, 

Of a truth I say unto you, 

that this poor widow 

hath cast in more than they all:

4 For all these have of their abundance 

cast in unto the offerings of God: 

but she of her penury hath cast in 

all the living that she had.

John 13:34-35

King James Version

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; 

as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know 

that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another.

The rich

 Matthew 19:23-24

King James Version

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, 

Verily I say unto you, 

That a rich man shall hardly enter 

into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, 

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, 

than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

That's what makes a rich man, poor.

If he doesn't acknowledge GOD.

If he doesn't believe in JESUS.

If he dishonors the HOLY SPIRIT.

If he hasn't repented of his sins.

If he is too proud to admit he has sinned.

If he doesn't care to know about sin.

If he doesn't care to know the WORD of GOD.

If he is blind to the plight of the blind.

If he is indifferent to the needs of the poor.

If he thinks he can buy his way to heaven.

Through charity, or good works.

All those make the rich man, poor.

I did say in the second post that there is GREAT abundance in the world.

"Why the poverty?"

Because the rich hoard.

Even the upper middle class hoard.

The elite keep the poor, ignorant.

The god of this world keeps us ignorant.

"What you don't know won't hurt you."

On the contrary, what we don't know, has hurt us.

Thing is, privileged information is reserved for the few.

In total contrast to Scripture, which waits for all of us to have fellowship with JESUS.

The rich can whitewash poverty, build tall fences, or reserve tickets to the moon, or another planet they want to colonize.

The fact remains, the poor will always be with us.

We must not scrap the rest of humanity out.

Deuteronomy 15:11

King James Version

11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: 

therefore I command thee, saying, 

Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, 

to thy poor, 

and to thy needy, 

in thy land.

We're all children of GOD.

We're all creations of the LORD.

How can we turn a blind eye, to our suffering brothers, and sisters?

How can we live, and eat luxuriously, when others are homeless, or starving?

How can we live normally, when other people are being oppressed, and marginalized?

How can we sleep good nights, when others don't even have a place to stay, much less a warm bed to sleep in?

How can we think fashion, when others have no change of clothes?

JESUS told the rich man:

Matthew 19:21

King James Version

21 Jesus said unto him, 

If thou wilt be perfect, 

go and sell that thou hast, 

and give to the poor, 

and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: 

and come and follow me.

The Bible is not anti-wealth.

It is anti-coventousness.

It's either GOD, or mammon.

Who have you chosen?

Related material:

LAZARUS and the RICH MAN

GOD and mammon

The "poor in spirit"

 Matthew 5:3

King James Version

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I was taught about the "poor in spirit", in Catholic school.

But the teachers did not elaborate.

All that time, I had the wrong notion about the poor in spirit.

Everything became clear when GOD made me born again.

SPIRIT led me to who they really were:

those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant

the humble, who rate themselves insignificant

people who are hopeless

people who depend only on him

those who know they are spiritually in need

those who realize their spiritual poverty

those who recognize they are spiritually helpless

people who know they have great spiritual needs

the humble-minded

Humble men

you’re at the end of your rope

those who recognize they are spiritually helpless

who realize their spiritual poverty

those who are spiritually needy

Those who know there is nothing good in themselves

those who are poor and realize their need for him

those who know that they need him

That was a relief to know.

I could not bear to be wrong about Scripture.

Mercifully, SPIRIT guided me, from another post.

Which one are you?

Are you financially poor?

Sick, or disabled?

Poor in spirit?

Are you rich?

Let's find out more about the "poor" on the next posts.

Related material:

The POOR in SPIRIT

The sick and disabled

John 9:1-2

King James Version

9 And as Jesus passed by, 

he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, 

Master, 

who did sin, 

this man, 

or his parents, 

that he was born blind?

In the city where I live, there seem to be many blind people.

I ride the jeepney with them.

The closest spot to the exit is reserved for the blind, elderly, and pregnant women.

We all move, when they come aboard.

Lucky are these precious people, if given employment.

There are decent massage therapy places for them.

Or craft shops, where they turn out wonderful wooden pieces.

Others, are forced to beg.

Cripples are forced to beg, too.

I've seen a burn victim, with empty eye sockets, forced to beg,

Syndicates deliver them to their "spots".

The city makes sure there are ramps for disabled folks, for every building.

Schooled in Architecture, I wonder how those steep, narrow ramps can accommodate the wheelchairs.

Just as in most everything here, it's an afterthought.

A necessary building requirement to fulfill.

Lest the builders not be awarded a building permit.

Of course, the hospitals are kinder.

The ramps are wider.

But now, the rooms are much smaller.

More buildings populate their compound.

More specialists thrive on their profession.

It's a big change from the time my father was a physician-surgeon in the late 50s.

How "businesses" thrive on the poor health of others!

Is the objective, prevention?

That people don't get sick, or as sick?

That people don't pay, an arm and a leg, just to be released from the hospital?

Are they accepted at all, if they don't have money, to begin with?

One thing I do know is that many doctors put up dialysis centers.

That's alarming.

That means, more people have diabetes.

Our crazy processed diets don't help.

Everyone's feeding on illness.

Everyone's being herded that way.

And what of long-term illness?

Or those who will be perpetually disabled?

How do families manage?

I know how I've managed.

I cared for a family member with ALL my heart.

GOD provides, ALL the time.

Especially for those who love Him.

And believe in Him.

And those who love the sick, and disabled.

Our FAITH is in JESUS.

Let's all respect the plight of the sick, and disabled.

We would not want to be in their position.

I assure you of that.

Let's not feed upon their helplessness.

Let's LOVE them.

As JESUS did.

In answer to the verse above, who sinned?

This is how JESUS answered:

John 9:3

King James Version

3 Jesus answered, 

Neither hath this man sinned, 

nor his parents: 

but that the works of God 

should be made manifest in him.

Folks, it's not about the sick, or disabled.

It's about us.

Do we have love. for them?

Do we have patience, for them?

What would we do, for them?

 

The financially poor

 1 Peter 3:8

King James Version

8 Finally, 

be ye all of one mind, 

having compassion one of another, 

love as brethren, 

be pitiful, 

be courteous:

We see them everywhere.

You don't have to look hard.

The poor are everywhere.

I see those without limbs, begging.

Positioned at strategic places.

Placed by syndicates, to beg.

I've seen the vans, that bring them there.

Shall I give these cherished ones, money?

Will the money go to them?

What can I really do, to help them?

City officials pass them by.

Kind people give them money.

Others respectfully leave food.

I saw one man, who can be found usually kneeling, begging.

And one day, he shouted at the world.

He could be found, rain or shine.

But that day, he lost it.

After a while, I didn't see him anymore in his usual spot.

You see, my city allows these precious people their spots.

How can anyone feed upon their misfortune?

Can we understand what they go through?

They're physically burned, blind, without limbs, crawling, immobile, and we make them beg?

How GOD's wrath would be upon us all!

There are individuals, and families, saddled with bills, debts, threats, coercion, oppression.

They don't even have food on the table, and yet the creditors come.

Perhaps, they've lost their jobs, or they've got lots to feed.

They don't know who to turn to.

Some borrow from loan sharks, but the debts keep piling on.

Some have lost their houses, cars, comforts.

Families are torn apart, when blame comes into the picture.

When previous high lifestyles are not met anymore, marriages fall apart.

You'll know if you've still got friends, when you're at your lowest low.

We see poverty everywhere.

People don't have to tell us they don't have money.

They can't pay.

They can't eat.

They have no home.

Their lackluster eyes tell us.

Their worn-out clothes tell us.

Where they live, if they have any place at all, tell us.

Their being unemployed, tell us.

Being "unemployable" tell us.

And we ask ourselves, if we are all GOD's children, why do we do that to each other?

There is GREAT abundance in the world.

Why, the poverty?

FRIEND to the POOR

 Deuteronomy 15:11

King James Version

11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: 

therefore I command thee, saying, 

Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, 

to thy poor, 

and to thy needy, 

in thy land.

Who are the poor?

As born again, I can only think of FOUR:

1. The financially poor.

2. The sick and disabled.

3. The "poor in spirit".

4. The rich. 

The rich?

They're poor??

Oh yes, as you shall see in the next pages.

For SPIRIT and SCRIPTURE will define them all.

You will appreciate this, as we go along.

Know that GOD is merciful.

He loves us all.

Otherwise, He wouldn't have sent His SON.

Who loves us all, too.

Thus, the CROSS.

JESUS had a singular purpose:

Luke 19:10

King James Version

10 For the Son of man is come to seek 

and to save 

that which was lost.

This 56th blog will tackle what the FOUR forms of "poor people" go through, do, or have done.

By exploring all four, we would get an idea of the dynamics, the cause of poverty and oppression.

We can find solutions, THROUGH Scripture.

Only the WORD of GOD speaks truth.

We're all brothers, and sisters, in CHRIST.

SPIRIT will put everything in its proper perspective.

We're all here to love one another.

It is the LORD's commandment.

Born agains abide by it.

John 13:34-35

King James Version

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; 

as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know 

that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another.

Please welcome "FRIEND to the POOR", our 56th blog!

Click the links now, thanks!

2022 articles

2023 articles

ALL Bible verses from:

biblegateway.com

kingjamesbibleonline.org

openbible.info