God, you and the poor

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.”Proverbs 29:7.

Sadly many think ill of the poor. There are many claiming to be Christians, in all walks of life, be they sitting in the pew, standing in the pulpit, or in political office, who think the poor are poor because they have done something wrong.

I’ve heard on more than one occasion of politicians and others saying if we increase welfare benefits or minimum wage “the poor will only go out an buy more drugs”. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As Christians as true believers in Christ Jesus we need to look carefully at what God says about the poor.

In Deuteronomy God tells us,

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."Deuteronomy 15:1.

In Leviticus the farmer is told,

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19: 9,10.

This to my way of thinking gives the poor at least the rights to the leftovers.

It is saying to us in the twenty-first century to at the very least help the poor in whatever way we can.

If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to help the poor in your neighbourhood?

Please think about it.