BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//VICTORIA COMMUNITY CHURCH - ECPv5.0.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:VICTORIA COMMUNITY CHURCH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:http://www.victoriacommunitychurch.org.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for VICTORIA COMMUNITY CHURCH
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/London
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240417T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240417T170000
DTSTAMP:20260905T220518
CREATED:20240417T105923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240417T110502Z
UID:18450-1713340800-1713373200@www.victoriacommunitychurch.org.uk
SUMMARY:Begging:  A BIblical Perspective.
DESCRIPTION: \nThe Bible\, a cornerstone of spiritual guidance and truth for many\, offers a nuanced view of begging.  It doesn’t directly condemn or condone begging but instead provides principles that help us understand the heart of God toward those in need. \nScriptures emphasize God’s compassion for the poor and destitute.  In Psalm 37:25\, we read “I have been young\, and now old\, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread”. \nThis verse suggests a divine provision that ideally\, the righteous will not be left in a postion to beg. \nThe Bible encourages believers to be generous 1 John 3:17 questions\, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need\, yet closes his heart against him\, how does God’s love abide in him”? \nThis implies that those who are able should help those in need\, potentially reducing the need for begging.   \nWhile the Bible urges support for the less fortunate\, it also emphasizes personal responsibility and hard work. \nProverbs 31:4 states\, “The soul of a sluggard craves and gets nothing\, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied”.  This suggests that diligence is rewarded and idleness is not. \nInterestingly\, the Bible speaks of begging in a spiritual sense.  It encourages individuals to humble themselves and pray for God’s mercy when acknowledging their sins or seeking His favour.  This form of begging is seen as a positive act of humility and dependence on God’s grace. \nJesus Christ’s ministry provides examples of how to treat beggars.  In Luke 16:20-21\, the story of Lazarus\, a beggar\, is told to illustrate the consequences of ignoring the needy.  Jesus also healed the beggar\, such as the blind man Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46\, showing His concern for their physical and spiritual well-being. \nThe Bible presents a balanced view of begging\, it acknowledges the plight of the poor while advocating for generousity and personal responsibility.  Begging is not seen as a virtue in itself\, but the response to compassion\, assistance\, and humility is of great importance to the biblical narrative. \nIn conclusion\, this blog reflects the complexity of the issue and the compassionate heart that the Bible encourages us to have towards those who beg.  It’s a call to action for believers to provide help and to reflect on their spiritual neediness before God. \nGod bless you\, \nNick x. \n
URL:http://www.victoriacommunitychurch.org.uk/event/beggining-a-biblical-perspective/
LOCATION:42a Newton Drive\, Blackpool\, Lancashire\, FY3 8BY\, United Kingdom
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR