What the Bible Says About The Poor? 

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“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion-how can God’s love be in that person.” I John 3:17

I define the poor as those who lack the resources to provide for their basic needs. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines poor as “lacking material possessions “ and “of relating to or characterized by poverty.“  According to the same dictionary, poverty denotes a severe lack of the means for proper existence.”

Americans boast of being the most generous people on the earth.  They support this boasting with the number of missionaries or dollars we send to foreign lands.  We still must acknowledge, however, that many Americans have very harsh and judgmental attitudes towards the poor.

Many poor Americans sleep on the streets every night.  Daily they and their children go to bed hungry and die because they can’t afford food or medical care. If one looks closely at the political rhetoric that surrounds the poor one would be aghast at the lack of compassion.

Compassion for the Poor

The Bible tells us what attitude God desires of us regarding the poor.  Does it tell us to be harsh and judgmental toward the poor?  Does it say God is harsh toward the poor?  Absolutely not.  Throughout the Old Testament, God’s attitude toward the poor is one of tremendous compassion.  Below are a few scriptural examples:

Deuteronomy 15:7, 10-11 “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.”

Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.

There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. “NLT

God’s stance on the poor doesn’t change in the New Testament.  In fact, Jesus declared that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to preach good news to the poor. (Luke 4:18).  Jesus thought enough of the poor to include them in His mission statement. 

Sheep v. Goats

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus speaks of gathering the nations to separate the sheep from the goats. He says the sheep will inherit the Kingdom because they fed Him when he was hungry, gave him drink when he was thirsty, invited him into their home when he was a stranger, clothed him when he was naked, cared for him when he was sick and visited him when he was in prison.

The sheep were confused and asked, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and not help you?” And he answered, “…when you helped the least of these my brothers and sisters, you helped me.”

The goats, on the other hand, refused to help the poor and were cast into eternal judgment.

Saints Helping the Poor

The Book of Acts records believers in the early church helping the poor. Acts chapter five records them selling their belongings and giving the money to the Apostles who used it to help the poor.  This program was so successful the Bible says there were no unmet needs amongst the believers. 

Additionally, Acts records individuals such as Tabitha individually helping the poor (Acts 9:36). Further, the Bible says God heard the prayers of Cornelius because of his gifts to the poor.

And Paul saluted the Corinthian church for setting an example of helping their poor brethren.

Conclusion

The above is not an exhaustive litany of scriptures dealing with the poor. But I hope you see the Bible is not silent on what our attitude should be regarding the poor. Jesus commands us to have the proper attitude about the poor and demonstrate good works by helping them when they’re in need.

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