Are We Not All Beggars - HP Fourth Sunday Lesson - June 2015

Are We Not All Beggars?

By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

INTRODUCTION

READ : Rich or poor, we are to “do what we can” when others are in need.

Perplexing scripture in the D&C 49:20

But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.

But, it is the world we currently live in.

SAY: Some of you have experienced poverty, some of you extreme poverty.  Others in our group may not have had that experience.  The ultimate expression of Christ's gospel, I believe, is Zion, defined as the pure in heart and no poor among us.  Anyways, let's get on with Elder Holland's talk.

LEARNER READINESS

READ A

READ A - In what would be the most startling moment of His early ministry, Jesus stood up in His home synagogue in Nazareth and read these words prophesied by Isaiah and recorded in the Gospel of Luke: “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 … set at liberty them that are bruised.”

Thus the Savior made the first public announcement of His messianic ministry. But this verse also made clear that on the way to His ultimate atoning sacrifice and Resurrection, Jesus’s first and foremost messianic duty would be to bless the poor, including the poor in spirit.

Q: According to Elder Holland, what was Jesus's first and foremost messianic duty?
Q: Why didn't Jesus say, "preach the gospel to rich...?

READ B

READ B - Down through history, poverty has been one of humankind’s greatest and most widespread challenges. Its obvious toll is usually physical, but the spiritual and emotional damage it can bring may be even more debilitating. In any case, the great Redeemer has issued no more persistent call than for us to join Him in lifting this burden from the people. As Jehovah, He said He would judge the house of Israel harshly because “the spoil of the [needy] is in your houses.”

Q: How does poverty bring spiritual and emotional damage as well as physical? [hunger brings distress.  Parents and children are traumatized.]

READ  C Isaiah 3:14–15 and Proverbs 14:31; 21:13

READ  C “What mean ye,” He cried, “that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor?”

The writer of Proverbs would make the matter piercingly clear: “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker,” and “whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor … shall [also] cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

Q: According to these verses, why won't they (who stoppeth their ears) be heard?

READ D

D - In our day, the restored Church of Jesus Christ had not yet seen its first anniversary when the Lord commanded the members to “look to the poor and … needy, and administer to their relief that they shall not suffer.” Note the imperative tone of that passage—“they shall not suffer.” That is language God uses when He means business.

Q: Why does the Lord mean business when it comes administering relief to the poor and needy? [is it a tenet of His gospel or just a minor doctrine?]

SAY, EH goes on with a story about Mother Theresa saying each of us ought to be doing what what we can.

READ E

READ E

So how might we “do what we can”?

For one thing, we can, as King Benjamin taught, cease withholding our means because we see the poor as having brought their misery upon themselves. Perhaps some have created their own difficulties, but don’t the rest of us do exactly the same thing? Isn’t that why this compassionate ruler asks, “Are we not all beggars?" Don’t we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don’t we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don’t we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case? Little wonder that King Benjamin says we obtain a remission of our sins by pleading to God, who compassionately responds, but we retain a remission of our sins by compassionately responding to the poor who plead to us.

Q: Why is it important to not judge the poor?

SAY: EH speaks of the poor Zoromites and says the following:

READ F

READ F - But then, to this very group who had themselves been turned away, Amulek says, “After [you] have [prayed], if [you] turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if [you] have [it], to those who stand in need—I say unto you, … your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and [you] are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.” What a stunning reminder that rich or poor, we are to “do what we can” when others are in need.

SAY: EH goes on to say that he reverences the principles of industry, thrift, self-reliance and ambition.  He will guide us in our compassionate acts of discipleship.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

Q:  What is the Lord's way of assisting our own poor and needy? [the law of the fast]

READ G

READ G - I bear witness of the miracles, both spiritual and temporal, that come to those who live the law of the fast. I bear witness of the miracles that have come to me. Truly, as Isaiah recorded, I have cried out in the fast more than once, and truly God has responded, “Here I am.” Cherish that sacred privilege at least monthly, and be as generous as circumstances permit in your fast offering and other humanitarian, educational, and missionary contributions. I promise that God will be generous to you, and those who find relief at your hand will call your name blessed forever. More than three-quarters of a million members of the Church were helped last year through fast offerings administered by devoted bishops and Relief Society presidents. That is a lot of grateful Latter-day Saints.

Q: How expansive can the law of the fast be?

Q: Why does Isaiah promise that God will respond, "Here I am"?  Is it the fasting or the giving?

READ H

READ H - D&C 104:18 - Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

Q: What does it mean to take of the abundance?
Q: What are the negative implications of not imparting my portion unto the needy and the poor?
Q: How do we know what to impart? (Isn't it obvious?)

READ I

READ I - Mosiah 18:27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, a every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.

Q: How do we know what to impart?

READ J

READ J - Brothers and sisters, such a sermon demands that I openly acknowledge the unearned, undeserved, unending blessings in my life, both temporal and spiritual. Like you, I have had to worry about finances on occasion, but I have never been poor, nor do I even know how the poor feel. Furthermore, I do not know all the reasons why the circumstances of birth, health, education, and economic opportunities vary so widely here in mortality, but when I see the want among so many, I do know that “there but for the grace of God go I.” I also know that although I may not be my brother’s keeper, I am my brother’s brother, and “because I have been given much, I too must give.”

Q: What does Elder Holland mean by acknowledging his unearned, undeserved, unending blessings in his life?

Q: How much much of our temporal and spiritual life is unearned and undeserved? [everything is a gift]

LEARNER APPLICATION

Q: How can we apply this lesson in our lives?  Any thoughts?
Q: What stops us from giving?
Q: What is the Lord's view of enjoying the abundance of the earth and yet helping the poor and the needy?
Q: How would I know if I were walking in the pride of my heart with regard to temporal things? [Mormon 9:39, Alma 4:6]
Q: How is helping the needy and the poor a unifying principle?

CONCLUSION

Helping the needy and the poor is a major tenet of Jesus's gospel. As EH says, each of us does what we can.  Christ doesn't want us to judge the poor.  We shouldn't say in our hearts, But, he brought it upon himself.  Let the Bishop worry about that.  We also shouldn't run faster then we have strength (Mosiah 4:27).  If we don't feel comfortable with this principle, we might ask ourselves if our hearts have been changed.

This principle along with other gospel principles will knit our hearts together in unity and in love for one another.  I believe Zion, having no poor among us is obtainable.