The Real Sin of Sodom

This Reach Sunday I want us to better understand poverty in its various forms, and to grow in our compassion for those who find themselves there. And this is my main point: Caring well for the poor is only possible when we recognize our own poverty.

Let me take a moment to define what I mean by “poor” this morning: we typically think of the materially poor, of people who struggle to make life work financially. Basics like food, clothing, and shelter are not givens. But poverty also includes a lack of other things, like a quality education, two-parent families, accessible health care, just laws and systems, job opportunities, safe neighborhoods, and hope.

A person can also be relationally and culturally poor—think of international students, newly-arrived immigrants, or minorities.