First Reformed Church of Hackensack, N.J., does not like homeless people who put food before faith. The Church reportedly shutdown the FAITH Foundation homeless shelter after the director, Robin Reilly, allowed homeless people on Christmas Day to eat before the families were required to listen to a sermon and prayer. FAITH was concerned that many people had not eaten in twenty-four hours and that it was difficult for the families to wait to eat under the circumstances.
Here’s a possible Sermon for next year: “If you give some of your own food to [feed] those who are hungry and to satisfy [the needs of] those who are humble, then your light will rise in the dark, and your darkness will become as bright as the noonday sun.”
Jesus appears to have been sympathetic to those who were hungry and did not like the idea of sending away people who were hungry:
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. — Matthew 14:15-21
For the story, click here.
What would Jesus do?
He would feed the people first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To whoever is in charge of the First reformed Church of Hackensack NJ you are sick twisted and evil and YOU CAN NOT AND WILL NOT ESCAPE GOD’S JUDGEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be afraid.
L
Buddha,
Just never be wrong with Guido’s books. I hear his tactics of collection and avenging are life altering and eternal.
It’s nice to Jesus, er, mespo setting the “We’ll Help The Poor For A Price” crowd straight.
char·i·ty \ˈcher-ə-tē, ˈcha-rə-\, n.
Etymology: Middle English charite, from Anglo-French charité, from Late Latin caritat-, caritas Christian love, from Latin, dearness, from carus dear; akin to Old Irish carae friend, Sanskrit kāma love
Date: 13th century
1 : benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2 a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor c : public provision for the relief of the needy
3 a : a gift for public benevolent purposes b : an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift
4 : lenient judgment of others
In the basics definition there are neither any costs to the recipient nor strings attached either.
So, Bob Hackett, wrong in two books. That’s quite an accomplishment.
Gee Bob Hackett, I think it would be great if you Christians actually read the Book you cite. Jesus made no requirement on the poor to follow his teachings before extending generosity. He simply said:
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.'”
-Matthew 25:41-45
That was a pretty fair progression from the Old Testament tenet:
“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
And were I you, I would worry about your words generalizing about the poor being lazy:
“He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.”
-Proverbs 17:5
My read on you fundies is found in two of my favorite passages from your magic book:
When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matt. 6:5-6
and
“Professing themselves wise, they became fools.”
Romans 1:22 (KJV)
Bob H.,
I may have missed this one in class but were not some of the followers merely poor in spirit? If memory serves me correctly in the rudimentary education that I have a number of the followers were quite wealthy for the times.
Like the lady named Lydia that was a dyer of Purple? Or the seller of salt? Believe it or not they were all quite rare back then. Think about the things that we take for granted. Jesus did not want for anything. Blessed as it may sound but the Romans did want the use fee for the hall that was used for the last supper. By the way a number of folks keep making money off of that one. Guess what, no cameras to keep the memory in tact. I suppose it was divinely inspired 15 hundred years later.