The Poor and the Diligent

I. The Right Attitude Toward the Poor

A. Do not look down upon them
B. Be concerned because God is concerned
C. Seek laws that are fair and just for all

- we encouraged ourselves to evaluate our hearts in light of the verses we studied. It is possible to become cynical and hardened toward those less fortunate than us, and that would not be pleasing to God.
- I realize that someone listening last week could have thought, but PV, we're discussing the "poor" as if it is a homogenous category, when it is not. I agree, which is why we also need to have:

II. The Right Understanding of the Poor

- The Bible gives different reasons people might be poor.

A. Some are poor for reasons outside their control.

Proverbs 13:23, cf. Isa. 3:13-15, 10:1-4, Amos 2:6-7, 5:11-12, 8:4-10

INPUT - Reasons a person may be poor that are outside his control?

B. Some are poor because of their own poor choices.

1. They won't work.

Prov. 10:4, 20:13

2. They love pleasure

Prov. 21:17

3. They will not control their appetites

Prov. 23:21

4. They did not respond to their parent's teaching and discipline.

Prov. 13:18

5. They talk but they don't act.

Prov. 14:23

6. They make hasty and unwise financial decisions.

Prov. 21:5

- so there's no question that sometimes [perhaps many times] people are poor because of bad choices they have made. But what should our attitude be toward people who have made bad choices?

III. The Right Ministry

- How should this affect us as a church?

A. Be sure the family is involved if possible.

I Timothy 5:4, 8

B. Try to determine why the person is the position, and whether he is willing to do his share.

- cf. Gal. 6:1-6 [help with burdens too heavy to bear without removing the whole load]

C. Remember that our view of the poor reflects our view of God.

Prov. 19:17

[Teachers - Time will probably not allow me to get to this material on the diligent. However, I wanted to rough out an outline for any teachers who needed it. My plan at this point is to stay with the schedule we distributed several weeks ago.]

IV. Biblical Truths about the Diligent

A. It requires discipline of the inner man.

- Proverbs 4:23

B. It involves planning

- Proverbs 21:5, 16:3, 24:24

- Discuss the natural aversion some persons have to planning.

C. It must be governed by honesty

- Some people are diligent about doing wrong.
- Obviously we're speaking here about one's diligence being governed by truth and honesty.

Proverbs 13:11, 16:11, 20:10, 23

D. Diligence has many rewards.

1. wealth

- Proverbs 10:4

2. trustworthiness

- Proverbs 4:7-8, 3:35

- cf. Joseph, David, Joshua

3. God's blessing
- especially when the fruit of diligence is shared with others in need

- 21:25-26, 22:9, 11:24-25

E. Diligence and wealth bring challenges

1. possible false sense of security

Proverbs 11:28
2. temptation to become proud

Proverbs 18:11

3. can destroy friendships and family relationships

Proverbs 15:27

Adult Bible Fellowship
The Poor and the Diligent
Proverbs Series #37

I. The Right Attitude Toward the Poor
A. Do not look down upon them.
B. Be concerned because God is concerned.
C. Seek laws that are fair and just for all

II. The Right ___________________ of the Poor
– The Bible gives different reasons people might be poor.
A. Some are poor for reasons ______________ their control.
• Proverbs 13:23, cf. Isaiah 3:13-15, 10:1-4; Amos 2:6-7, 5:11-12, 8:4-10
• INPUT - Reasons a person may be poor that are outside his control?
B. Some are poor because of their _______ _________ choices.
1. They _________ work.
• Proverbs 10:4, 20:13
2. They _______ pleasure.
• Proverbs 21:17
3. They will not control their ________________.
• Proverbs 23:21
4. They did not ______________ to their parent's teaching and discipline.
• Proverbs 13:18
5. They ________ but they don't ________.
• Proverbs 14:23
6. They make hasty and unwise ________________ decisions.
• Proverbs 21:5

III. The Right ______________
– How should this affect us as a church?
A. Be sure the ____________ is involved if possible.
• I Timothy 5:4, 8

B. Try to determine _______ the person is in this position, and whether he is willing to do his ___________.
• cf. Galatians 6:1-6 [help with burdens too heavy to bear without removing the whole load]
C. Remember that our view of the _________ reflects our view of ________.
• Proverbs 19:17

IV. Biblical Truths about the Diligent
A. It requires discipline of the inner man.
• Proverbs 4:23
B. It involves planning
• Proverbs 21:5, 16:3, 24:24
C. It must be governed by honesty.
• Some people are diligent about doing wrong.
• Obviously we're speaking here about one's diligence being governed by truth and honesty.
• Proverbs 13:11, 16:11, 20:10, 23
D. Diligence has many rewards.
1. Wealth
• Proverbs 10:4
2. Trustworthiness
• Proverbs 4:7-8, 3:35
• cf. Joseph, David, Joshua
3. God's blessing
• Especially when the fruit of diligence is shared with others in need
• 21:25-26, 22:9, 11:24-25
E. Diligence and wealth bring challenges.
1. Possible false sense of security
• Proverbs 11:28
2. Temptation to become proud
• Proverbs 18:11
3. Can destroy friendships and family relationships
• Proverbs 15:27