By EVANG. Oladipo Oluwatosin
Text: Luke 4:18-19, James 2:1-9, Matthew 25:31-46
Introduction
In a time where the pulpit has become more of a stage than an altar, and image has replaced intimacy with God, a crucial question must be asked:
“Whose gospel are we preaching?”
Jesus came for the poor, the broken, the oppressed. Yet today, many ministers and preachers subtly or openly despise the poor. This message is a call to repentance, realignment, and restoration.
JESUS CAME FOR THE POOR – HIS PRIMARY AUDIENCE
Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…”
From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus declared the poor as the first recipients of His gospel. He never withdrew His hand from them.
Examples:
- The Woman with the Alabaster Box (Luke 7:37-50) – Socially outcast, yet welcomed.
- Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) – A beggar, yet given attention.
- Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) – Though wealthy, humbled like the poor.
- Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) – Lazarus was ignored by the rich, but honored in heaven.
Jesus sat, ate, healed, and taught among the poor. He didn’t segregate His audience based on wealth or status.
WHAT WENT WRONG IN THE MODERN CHURCH?
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Shift from Discipleship to Enterprise
- Ministries became businesses. Preaching prosperity became more lucrative than preaching repentance.
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Partiality and Classism
James 2:1-4
“Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” -
Idolization of Wealth
1 Timothy 6:5-10
“…supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself…” -
Misinterpretation of Prosperity
Biblical prosperity is wholeness, stewardship, and impact, not excess, display, and selfish ambition.
EFFECTS OF NEGLECTING THE POOR
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Disillusionment in the Body
Many leave the church feeling rejected because they can’t “sow big seeds” or “give to be noticed.” -
Corruption in Leadership
Leaders become puppets to sponsors and wealthy donors. -
Loss of Power and Presence
The Holy Spirit moves where there is humility, not haughtiness. -
Eternal Consequences
Matthew 25:40,45
“Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”
WHAT MUST BE DONE?
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Repent and Return to True Gospel
Revelation 2:4-5 – “Thou hast left thy first love… repent…”
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Reorient Church Structure and Teachings
- Emphasize compassion, simplicity, and justice.
- Raise leaders with hearts, not just heads.
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Reinvest in the Poor and Marginalized
- Create ministries that empower, not exploit.
- Show mercy, not manipulation.
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Guard the Pulpit with Purity
- Teach young ministers that faithfulness > fame.
- Train them to serve like Stephen (Acts 6) and Paul (1 Cor. 9:16-18).
ADVICE TO YOUNG AND UPCOMING MINISTERS
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Build Depth Before Building a Platform
2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study to show thyself approved…”
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Preach Christ, Not Currency
1 Corinthians 2:2 – “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ…”
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Serve Without Expecting Payback
Acts 20:33-35 – “I have coveted no man's silver…”
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Stay Close to the Broken
- Ministry is about people, not products.
- Visit hospitals, villages, orphanages – and don’t carry cameras.
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Remember Eternity
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Many will say… Lord, Lord… and I will profess I never knew you…”
Conclusion: A Gospel Without the Poor is a Gospel Without Christ
If our churches have no space for the poor, then Christ is not in them.
Let us return to the original mandate: “Preach the gospel to the poor…”
Let ministers repent of pride, let churches rise with compassion, and let a new breed of young ministers emerge with integrity and fire.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, give us Your heart for the broken, Your eyes for the forgotten, and Your strength to love those who cannot repay us. Restore our pulpits with purity and purpose, and raise a generation that honors You above gold. Amen.
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