He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker. (Proverbs 14:31)Among the prophets' repeated complaints against Israel/Judah was their oppression of the poor. Woe to those who make unjust laws . . . to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed (Isaiah 10:1,2). On your clothes men find the lifeblood of the innocent poor (Jeremiah 2:34). They oppress the poor and needy (Ezekiel 22:29). You trample on the poor (Amos 5:11).
A proverb that really puts things into perspective is 19:17 - He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. What a strange thought - to loan something to God. Surely we need not fear God defaulting on his obligations.
And lest we dismiss this as an Old Testament technicality that doesn't really apply in a world top-heavy with governmental social programs: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40).
This is true whether the you addressed is an individual, a church, or a nation.
What have you done this week to be a friend to the poor?
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