Ministry of the Anawim

1.      The Anawim do not focus on their own needs, but on the needs of other poor, outcast and Anawim around them.

Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4

See also: Luke 6:27-38; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; Galatians 6:10; Philippians 2:3-8; Ephesians 6:25-30.  The teaching of Jesus and the apostles is to love everyone, and do good to them, especially to those who are of the needy among the followers of Jesus.

2.      The service to the Anawim takes place in the following ways:

1. The calling of the outcast to join the kingdom of God through humility, repentance and commitment to Jesus.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. Luke 4:18

See also: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 2:1-17; Luke 4:18-19; Luke 15:1-32; Luke 18:9-15; Luke 19:1-10; John 6:26-27; Acts 10:1-48.

2. The deliverance of the vulnerable from things that separate them from God’s kingdom through the power of God.

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.  Matthew 10:1

See also: Matthew 8:1-9:33; 10:1, 8; Mark 6:34-44; Luke 9:1; John 6:1-14; Acts 2:43; 3:1-8; 14:8-10.  These fall in the category of “signs and wonders”, but they are very much a part of the ministry in the NT.  While blindness and leprosy and continual bleeding would separate one from the kingdom, today, mental illness and other ailments might separate one from the kingdom and need just as much of the power of God in order to gain deliverance.

3. The deliverance of the oppressed from the spiritual powers and bondages that separate them from God’s kingdom, using the authority of Jesus.

See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Luke 10:19

See also: Matthew 8:28-33; 10:8; 12:28-29; Mark 16:17; Luke 9:1; 10:17-20; Acts 19:11-16; Ephesians 6:10-17.  To do the work of God’s kingdom is to directly oppose the work of Satan and his kingdom.  This means to stand against temptations, and also, through the authority of Jesus, to separate people from the bondages they have in Satan. 

4. A continuing encouragement and correction to live in accordance with the teaching and life of Jesus.

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

See also: Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 10:24-25.

5. Giving food, warmth, housing, support and healing to those who are vulnerable and in need, especially to those who follow Jesus, in accordance with the resources available.

Do good to everyone, especially to those of the household of faith.  Galatians 6:10

See also: Matthew 5:43-48; 10:40-42; 25:31-46; Luke 6:35; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 13:1-3.

6. The sacrifice of one’s well being and even life for the sake of meeting the needs of the Anawim.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for the ones he loves. John 15:13

See also: Isaiah 53; Mark 10:43-45; John 15:12-13; Ephesians 5:25-28;Colossians 1:24

3.      All service to the Anawim needs to be done in a spirit of love, being concerned for the needs of others before one’s own needs and desires.  This means that the service is done in a spirit of humility, gentleness, reconciliation, politeness, and joy.

If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  I Corinthians 13:3

See also: Matthew 7:12;  Mark 12:28-31; Romans 13:8; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Galatians 6:1-2; Philippians 2:1-8; James 2:8.

4.      Because this is ministry done by the Anawim—those who are vulnerable and who usually have few resources—it is done from dependence on God, recognizing that no ministry will be done without him.

Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:31, 33.

See also: Matthew 6:25-34; 10:8-10, 19-20; Acts 3:1-8; II Corinthians 12:12.  Most of the ministry of the NT is done depending on God alone, for signs and wonders and exorcisms cannot be done by any power except God’s.  To be sure of dependence on God, Jesus sent his apostles without money or resources.