The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”
– Psalm 12:5 NLT
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
– Proverbs 31v8-9 NLT
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
– Proverbs 31:20 NLT
Why Care for the Poor?
It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
– Proverbs 14:21 NLT
“Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing”
– Proverbs 28:27 NLT
“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors Him.”
– Proverbs 14:31 NLT
“This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy”
– Ezekiel 16:49 ESV
“Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”
– Galations 2:10 ESV
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in you?”
– 1 John 3:17 ESV
“No Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans support not only their own poor but ours as well. From this, everyone sees that the people lack aid from us. That is disgraceful for us.” – Julian the Apostate
Why Don’t We?
Cultural Conditioning
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
– Luke 12:13-15 NIV
‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
– Luke 12:18-20 NIV
A manager’s stock options vested after a major run-up in share price. And he thought to himself, “What shall I do? My kids’ college is funded. My house is paid off. I already max out my 401k.” And he said, “This is what I’ll do. I’ll open a brokerage account. I’ll build a passive income portfolio. I’ll exercise my options. And I’ll say to my soul, ‘Soul, you’ve got enough to be financially independent. Retire early. Plan some vacations. Play some golf.'”
– John Cortines & Gregory Baumer
The Greeks had three words for life:
Bios – Natural, Physical Life
Psyche – Soul, Inner Life
Zoe – Divine, Eternal Life
Augustine said it like this: “He did not realize that the bellies of the poor are much safer storerooms than his barns.”
How Can We?
Amy Carmichael said it like this: “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
– Isaiah 58:10-12 NLT