"God, the Poor, the Church and You" by Emily Howell

As people of God, we are called to emulate His character. To know His character is certainly a prerequisite for this task. His mysterious character is clearly articulated through His Word. Of interest to us now is our holy God who is just and a provider. First, our Lord is just. In Micah 6:8 we are required to “do justice, and to love kindness.” But God was the first to pursue just relationships. “He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty” (Luke 1:52-53). His example of right relationship is a guide to what we are to love and hate. Second, God is a provider. Isaiah 58:11 says “that the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Faithfully, He satisfies our needs. He “will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). We can count on God to be just and know that He will certainly provide in His divine knowledge.

We must also be a people who pursue God’s heart. Jesus speaks often of the kingdom of God and begins the Sermon on the Mount with “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Why are the poor blessed? John 6:35 says that “whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” He longs for His people to draw near to Him; it is the person who most deeply understands his need who will be most willing to draw near. The presumably poor widow gave a more acceptable offering than the rich when she gave “all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4) Christ calls for our all and knowingly says that “only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). God’s heart is for the estranged poor as well. As an alien and widow Ruth was considered faithful to be part of the lineage of Jesus. God believes in the poor, and we should too.

To honor His heart for the poor, God also set in place certain provision for the poor throughout the Bible. In Deuteronomy 15:1-11 we read about the year of jubilee. Every seventh year was to be a time of rest and redistribution such that “there will be no poor among you”, because the Lord is blessing the land that the Israelites were to inherit (Deuteronomy 15:4). In the story of Ruth we see the practice of gleaning in action. Righteous Boaz allowed Ruth, as a poor, widowed alien, to gather the fruit of his field that was not easily gathered in the harvest. He also was a kinsman redeemer to Ruth, transforming her from a poor, widowed alien to one of God’s chosen people. Furthermore, Isaiah speaks of fasting as a means of serving the poor.

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:6-7)

In harmony with the mandate for the poor in the Old Testament, the New Testament Church was “selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:45). They were also taking their food together and enjoying it with “generous hearts” (2:46). In Hebrews 13:2 we are commanded to “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” At all time we are to love those we are receiving- whatever their status.

Our clear call is to look out for and support the poor. As a church, there are some specific ways we can be part of transformational development among the poor. 1 Corinthians 12:28 says that one of the gifts of the spirit is helping. One way we help is by living lives that do not exploit the poor. Amos 5:11 says “hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate.” Earlier in the chapter we are told that this is the way to life, to not turn the needy away or to take bribes against their best interest. Practically, in Matthew 25:35-36 we are told to see to physical needs of people around us. Ultimately, Jesus says “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:30). We are called to see to the needs of those around us with that with which we have been blessed. Many economist and development agencies would caution that the poor may become dependent or, more seriously, confuse our role with that of God. Thus, it is important that we do whatever possible to restore the true identity and vocation of the poor (Myers).

Personally, I also have an individual role to play in honoring the poor God has called among us. James 2 warns us to not become judges of those around us, for God has “chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” What an honor to be considered poor in this life! Paul says that “in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free- and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” It is my responsibility to not look down on the poor or retain an image that treats them as less worthy or redeemed than myself. Life is short, and while we are called to pull our weight we are not called to live in a lifestyle that worships upward mobility rather than Christ and the kingdom to come. My mindset and understanding of this concept will be reflected in the way I choose to live my life. “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way” says Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:11. God will be faithful to provide and I have the responsibility to faithfully distribute what is His.

November, 2008