Scriptures Related to the Parable of the Two Hostesses

Why God gives people money: "Now He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God" (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

Our standard for giving: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

What happens to those who refuse to help the poor: "He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor, will also cry himself and not be answered" (Proverbs 21:13). See also Proverbs 23:11 below.

Laziness isn't the only reason for poverty, and only One is allowed to judge the poor: "Do not move the ancient boundary or go into the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you" (Proverbs 23:10-11). It seems the reason they are poor doesn't come under consideration.

Israel had laws for allowing the poor to glean. See Leviticus 19:9-10 and the Book of Ruth. Would there be any modern day equivalents of this practice?

How God sees those who won't help poor brothers or sisters: "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how can the love of God abide in Him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth" (1 John 3:17-18). "What use is it, my brethren , if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "go in peace, be warmed and filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use it that? Even so, faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself" (James 2:14-17). Saying you'll pray for them without giving anything to them, is the same.

For family: "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8).

Instructions for those who have money: Remember Who has given you the power to make wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, Who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy, to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Empty ritual: Isaiah 58:3-12 New King James Version (NKJV) 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. 4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. 5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord? 6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. 12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.