Is there a connection with sexual immorality and not helping homeless people?

In Sodom, those who were not in the mainstream were taken advantage of or ignored.

This is a repost

copyright, December  2017

 Sexual sin was not the only sin of Sodom. When most Evangelicals think of Sodom and her sin, they think of sexual immorality. The Scriptures make it clear that the sexual sin of the city and its neighboring Gomorrah was very great (see Genesis 19). But according to God's prophet, Ezekiel, there was more that displeased a holy God than that particular sin. Ezekiel 16:49, 50 tells us,Behold this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it (NASB).

 The above Hebrew word for careless ease, shaquat, means to "be at quiet, tranquil, to be at peace." The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament states, “the word careless  ease in the Ezekiel text overlaps with the word 'security' (betah) which is a feeling of confidence." 

 Willful ignorance of the poor and needy

People in Sodom simply walked by the poor. The word Ezekiel uses in Ezekiel 16:49 for help, means literally, "to seize by the hand and set up again." In their insatiable lust and greed they did not reach out and lift up the sick, the afflicted and the poor. The word for "poor" means to find oneselfoppressed, afflicted and wretched. The word "needy" connotes having no clothes, no land and no food.These commands to help the poor, the weak, and the needy are through out the Old Testament.

Please also note that the prophet calls the nation of Judah, Sodom's sister.  The nation from which Jesus Christ would come was committing all kinds of the sins of the flesh and the spirit.  Their guilt was worse because they sinned against God's revelation, through the temple and the prophets and the written word of God.

Sodom had its good times; the best of times. Again like many today, they had the attitude of "Come on; let's party!" There was plenty of apathy toward the poor and needy in the city of Sodom and her daughter cities. Pleasure and the absence of pain were the ultimate objective of life for these cities. The outcome was an ethical and psychological hedonism at its worst. Those who were not in the mainstream were taken advantage of or ignored. Does this sound familiar to you?

 

End of the Year Donation

 It is time for an end-of-the-year donor letter. In the past we have received many  needed  donations in the months of November and December.   

Mental Illness in the United States affects one in every four people. Treating mental illness is expensive.  Most of our clients pay about thirty dollars an hour for Biblical and clinical Counseling. Many counselors charge anywhere from $100-$150 dollars an hour for counseling.  

Because of your gifts suffering people will be helped. We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit -tax free  agency registered with the IRS. In our  thirteen years of existence, we have never turned any one away because of finances.This is true whether it is counseling, seminars, or support groups.  If you wish to give by check or through pay pal, please click on the following link.. below  http://heartfeltmin.org/join-us.html  Thanks SB