1- Psalm 9:9: God Fights for the Oppressed
“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
This Psalm of David cries out for the Lord in a time of distress. Remember that when you are feeling oppressed, hated, or abused by those above you, God is on your side.
Christ taught to turn the other cheek, which means that he’s never on the side of the cruel, hateful, or unjust. He loves the weakest among us, the poor and the despised.
Remember, Christ spent his time, not with members of high society, but with the lowest of sinners. When you encounter injustice or hardship, remember that God is your strength.
If you are being oppressed by your society or your family, if people hate you because you’re different or push you around to make themselves feel better, remember that God is on your side, not theirs.
2- Luke 12:15: Money Can’t Bring You Happiness
It’s easy to get caught up in the things we own. We love our smart phones, our cars, and our television screens. Sometimes, this leads us to want more and more, until money and possessions are the only thing that matter to us. Jesus preached a different message.
The most important things in life, Jesus said, is loving one another. Material wealth isn’t the answer. In fact, Christ says that these people won’t inherit the kingdom of God. When times get troubling, make sure to turn to one another for comfort, not your things.
It’s easy to get attached to our own possessions and our homes. Sometimes, we’re so worried about buying a car, helping our kids get into college, or making sure that our families are well fed, that we forget about the families around us. Yet Christ told his followers to leave their families, going out into the world and giving away everything they own.
3- Luke 6:20: God Helps the Poor
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”
The Sermon on the Mount is perhaps Jesus’ most famous sermon. Here, Christ speaks about the coming of the kingdom of God. In essence, Jesus describes a complete transformation of society. The poor, he says, will receive the kingdom to come. They will be fed and brought joy.
The rich, however, will receive his wrath in this new kingdom. He speaks of the rich, those with full stomachs, those who laugh, those who receive high praise – these people, he says, shall be made poor, hungry, and sad.
Jesus then instructs your to love your enemies, turn the other cheek, and to give whatever someone asks of you: be it money, goods, or the clothes off your back.
Money can be tight for everyone, and it’s often a struggle to make ends meet. When you’re worried about money or bills, remember that Jesus came for the poor among us, and that when his kingdom comes, the poor will be the ones to inherit it.
4- Luke 6:29-31: Give to Everyone who needs help, No matter what
“If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Be sure to remember those less fortunate than you. But don’t just think about them in your heart; take action.
It’s always easy to make up an excuse when a homeless person asks for money. Yet Jesus says that the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven is to give everyone anything they ask for, including the shirt off your back. When everyone does this, Christ says, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The rich will no longer be rich, because they have given their wealth away, and the poor will be handed the kingdom. The more you give, the more you will feel the love of Christ in you.
