People Over Policy
Series Introduction
23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.
26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. —Psalm 37:23-26 (NLT)
Introduction
27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. —James 1:27 (NLT)
7 “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. —Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (NLT)
11 There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. —Deuteronomy 15:11 (NLT)
10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. —Isaiah 58:10 (NLT)
35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” —Acts 20:35 (NLT)
13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. —Proverbs 21:13 (NLT)
Reasons Why People Don’t Help The Poor:
1. They Have
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. —Proverbs 28:27 (NLT)
2.
Poor People To Help
17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. —1 John 3:17-18 (NLT)
3. They Lack
In God
21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” —Matthew 19:21 (NLT)
4. They Have
7 The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. —Proverbs 29:7 (NLT)
Three People Policy Shifting Ideas:
4 “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.”
5 Rehoboam replied, “Come back in three days for my answer.” So the people went away.
6 Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. “What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people?”
7 The older counselors replied, “If you are good to these people and do your best to please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”
8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. 9 “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”
10 The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! 11 Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”
12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had ordered. 13 But Rehoboam spoke harshly to them, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors 14 and followed the counsel of his younger advisers.
15 So the king paid no attention to the people. —2 Chronicles 10:4-19 (NLT)
1. People
Policies
2.
Policies Not People
3. Heavenly
Earthly Policies
9 Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. 10 For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ 11 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ 12 In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. 13 And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.” —Mark 7:9-13 (NLT)
Conclusion
Cast Vision to Change Policy:
• We are doing business in an environment that is evolving rapidly.
• The assumptions we made about our customers pre-COVID-19, are no longer valid.
• People have radically changed over the past 2 years and maybe we should consider how our customers have changed as a result of COVID-19.
• If we are going to maintain our current customers and gain new ones in the process, we should consider tweaking our policies and procedures.
• Because people desire to be more relational, may we should consider….
My Next Steps:
- What policies do I need to evaluate?
- Who do I need to have a conversation with about putting people over policy?
- Watch “Do For One What You Wish You Could Do For All” Message (https://bahamasharvestchurch.org/media/xg64cpf/do-for-one-what-you-wish-you-could-do-for-all)
Join Us For Our Next Message: The Christian Atheist
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