remember the poor

i was thinking about this one line in galatians that is tacked on to paul explaining a summit with the jerusalem leaders concerning his ministry out on the edge of the map....

the jerusalem church asked him to, "remember the poor." (2:10)

they have been discussing and exploring paul's ministry and theology and as they affirm his calling to follow God into the mission to reach as many people as possible with the gospel of grace...then there is this one thing they request...remember the poor.

paul was completely comfortable carrying that concern and doing something about it (see 1 Corinthians 16, 2 Corinthians 9, Romans 15).

i am thinking how important it is to understand that theology must get practical. theology must be lived. beliefs will give birth to actions; so can we embrace the preoccupations of Jesus and his church for the poor.

only someone who is blind or is looking at the bible through a broken or cloudy lens won't see God's concern for the poor. it is talked about so much in the bible as to be a little disturbing how it can be overlooked or devalued.

paul was eager to help.

td