Condescend to Those Of Low Estate

[Mr. M]

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

There are many possibilities for ways to fulfill this instruction.

Volunteerism: soup kitchens, orphanages, senior citizens.

Involvement with support for a sister church in an undeveloped country.

Live in low income housing for a time.

Not that anyone would boast, but feel free to share ideas for outreach

to the less fortunate, and per chance inspire others to step up.

I know from experience that people often feel overwhelmed by

the problems of this world and think, what could I do?

A little can mean a lot. Humble yourself under God's mighty hand,

and He will lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6

[FJK]

35 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

I know from experience that people often feel overwhelmed by

the problems of this world and think, what could I do?

A while back I was shown a vision in a very strong dream, won't go into the dream but I woke from it with the very distinct and clear instruction "Do something nice every day for someone you've never met and never will".  It was clear that this meant actual direct action on my part, not secondarily by just donating something to some charity.

Seems so simple as to be almost a simple instruction for a child but it is really something that is most difficult to do when actually putting it into practice it in daily life, but it definitely changes my attitude and outlook on life when you make this the important thing of my day.

God talks to us in many ways, including our dreams, it's good to listen to him when he does.

[Mr. M]

52 minutes ago, FJK said:

A while back I was shown a vision in a very strong dream, won't go into the dream but I woke from it with the very distinct and clear instruction "Do something nice every day for someone you've never met and never will".  It was clear that this meant actual direct action on my part, not secondarily by just donating something to some charity.

Seems so simple as to be almost a simple instruction for a child but it is really something that is most difficult to do when actually putting it into practice it in daily life, but it definitely changes my attitude and outlook on life when you make this the important thing of my day.

God talks to us in many ways, including our dreams, it's good to listen to him when he does.

Galatians 2:

9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 

10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, 

the very thing which I also was eager to do.

Romans 15:

25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 

26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia

to make a certain contribution for the poor

among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 

27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors.

For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, 

their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

[Mr. M]

The heart of the Psalmist for those of low estate.

Psalm 9:

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.
12 When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble (afflicted).

Psalm 10:

17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

Psalm 18:

25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;
26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
27 For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down haughty looks.

Psalm 25:

8 Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
9 The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Psalm 34:

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 69:

29 But I am poor and sorrowful;
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
30 I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull,
Which has horns and hooves.
32 The humble shall see this and be glad;
And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.
33 For the Lord hears the poor,
And does not despise His prisoners.

Psalm 147:

3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.

Psalm 149:

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.

[Neighbor]

On 11/27/2023 at 9:24 AM, Mr. M said:

There are many possibilities for ways to fulfill this instruction.

Seems to me it is a mindset to obtain, rather than a physical activity to fulfill..

[Starise]

On 11/27/2023 at 9:24 AM, Mr. M said:

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

There are many possibilities for ways to fulfill this instruction.

Volunteerism: soup kitchens, orphanages, senior citizens.

Involvement with support for a sister church in an undeveloped country.

Live in low income housing for a time.

Not that anyone would boast, but feel free to share ideas for outreach

to the less fortunate, and per chance inspire others to step up.

I know from experience that people often feel overwhelmed by

the problems of this world and think, what could I do?

A little can mean a lot. Humble yourself under God's mighty hand,

and He will lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6

If we are already of the correct mindset there is no need to "condescend" IMO.

[Mr. M]

3 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Seems to me it is a mindset to obtain, rather than a physical activity to fulfill..

 

40 minutes ago, Starise said:

If we are already of the correct mindset there is no need to "condescend" IMO.

The mindset is critical for it is the motive of the heart by which we will be judged. However, by encouraging young believers to engage in the activities, it is the participation in the outreach that changes hearts for a greater humility of mind.

When they experience firsthand the struggles of those of low estate, they will learn to see them as people loved by God, and not simply a caste in society who probably are getting what they deserve. I am certain this was James' concern when he wrote in his epistle.

James 2:

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 

16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

[Sower]

On 11/27/2023 at 8:24 AM, Mr. M said:

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

                          "men of low estate"

Quote;

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of men of “low estate”? The Greek word for “low estate” is actually the word tapeinos, which is the Greek word that means to be humble, modest, simple, and unpretentious. In other words, the word tapeinos describes common, ordinary, everyday, normal people. It does not mean poor.

There are many proud and arrogant poor people, just as there are many humble wealthy people. The word tapeinos (“low estate” or “humble”) doesn’t refer to a person’s financial status; rather, it refers to his attitude toward life, toward himself, and toward others. Regardless of his station in life, he has never allowed himself to think of himself as better than others.

Even if you have more education, more money, and a higher status in society than most people, that doesn’t make you better. In fact, these privileges make you more responsible, for God expects you to come down to a level where you can use your gifts, talents, and money to be a greater blessing to people!

((As Mr.M has said; "Volunteerism: soup kitchens, orphanages, senior citizens etc."))

Especially during holiday seasons of the year when so many people are struggling to make ends meet, why don’t you think of ways that you can minister to people in your life whom you normally wouldn’t reach out to? Think of what a difference you can make in someone else’s life by simply reaching out to bless him or her in some special way. Don’t let yourself get away with thinking you’re too busy or too high and mighty to do this, because you’re not. Don’t forget — someone once did this for you; now it is your time to do it for someone else.

                               The surprised followers ask when they did these things for Him,
                              and Jesus replies, “The King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you,
                                        as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,
                                                 you did it to me. '” (Matthew 25:40).

[Who me]

Phil2:2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

It is not so much  a case of seeing others as less fortunate,  but rather a case of how can I be of practice help to others.

 

How many elderly or disabled  people attend your church? Ho w do they get there?

How many people live on there own and would value a shared meal on Sunday?

Are your churches  activities  being strangled due to lack of helpers?

Even more challenging how many struggling  churches do you pass inorder to attend your church.

How is your attendance at church an encouragement  to others?

 

[Mr. M]

8 hours ago, Sower said:

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of men of “low estate”? The Greek word for “low estate” is actually the word tapeinos, which is the Greek word that means to be humble, modest, simple, and unpretentious. In other words, the word tapeinos describes common, ordinary, everyday, normal people. It does not mean poor.

Delving further into the NT use of this word

leads us into the mind of the Spirit. Consider Mary's

state of mind here in the wording of her magnificat. 

Luke 1:46 And Mary said:

My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.

This is echoed later by her son James:

1:9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 

10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower

of the field he will pass away. 

11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat

than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful

appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

And later,

James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

This is ordinary people facing difficult circumstances. We recall

that Mary came under intense scrutiny and hostility over her

pregnancy. The matter was clarified for Joseph, and he protected

her from the social pressures She was under. So we see people brought

to a point of public humiliation crying out to God, and receiving grace.

No one knew this better than Paul! He endured endless trials.

2 Corinthians 7:

5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest,

but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 

6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast (tapeinos),

comforted us by the coming of Titus, 

7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which

he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire,

your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

So what Paul is teaching us is that we are to recognize others

who are in a lowly, downcast state, and come beside them (paracletos)

and offer them comfort (paraclesis).

2 Corinthians 1:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able

to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort

with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:

12 For the administration of this service not only supplies

the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through

many thanksgivings to God, 

13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God

for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ,

and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 

14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you

because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 

15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

You were so right! There is so much more here than

economic and social class. Your response lead me to go

deeper into that word. This is our fellowship in the Spirit!

The other word 'condescend' is used two other times

in a negative connotation, but means "to lead away from".

We come along side others when they are downcast and lead 

them away; from despair, from hopelessness, from crisis.

When we are lead by the Spirit, we become His Comforter

for others in their low estate.

Today's society is so much more in tune with depression

and suicide, especially in the veteran community.

When I arrived at U.S. Vets this past Spring,

beginning with intake, later with an assigned case

manager, then a mandatory meeting with an on site

psychologist, and finally with a nurse practitioner at

the health care clinic, I was asked four times in one week

if I had any troubles with depression or thoughts of self-harm.

That was just four opportunities to show my hope in Christ,

and that there was no concern for me in that area. I suppose

within the Body of Christ, we should be just as tuned in to

the state of mind of those around us, and come along side

quickly for a brother or sister who is feeling down.