Ignoring the Poor

Proverbs 21:13

“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”

We all have had the guy or gal that approached us for money on the street, some have signs I will work for food but most won’t.  We even had the more aggressive one that wants to wash your car windows, but the ones I detest are the ones that beg for their church as if God needs the world to fund His mission.

So what does the Bible say about the poor, a lot of ink is in the Bible about the poor, and a wise person will pay attention to what God is saying to each of us?  Shall we explore the Scriptures and learn how God looks at the poor?  Proverbs 19:17, states; “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”  Proverbs 22:9, “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”  What about Proverbs 14:31, “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”

Do you recall Jesus said these words to the righteous; “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.”  If so I’m sure you recall the righteous reply in Matthew 25:37-39, asking when did we do this for you; and this was Jesus’ reply in verse 40.  “And 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.”

But Jesus said much more about the poor in Luke 14:13-14, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

I am blessed to be part of a local church that has a heart for the under-resourced and has many programs to help them.  But Jan and I also give to Samaritan’s Purse that supports and cares for the poor worldwide.  As a follower of Christ, one should take these Scriptures very serious.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice