I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer. Do not delay, O my God. (Psalm 40:17)
The Bible clearly establishes the fact that, in this world, there will always be poor people. In fact it is written, “The poor will never cease from the land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). In spite of man’s best efforts to erase it from the earth through various means, the poor of the earth will always exist just as certainly as day and night will continue to exist. That being said, it is also clearly stated in Scripture that the Lord considers the poor and will not leave them to their plight without hope and assistance. It is quite obvious, in fact, that the Lord shows great deference to the poor and needy because of their situation. As it is written, “He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy” (Psalm 72:13).
To underscore this point, take this into consideration: the Hebrew word translated as “poor” is עני ani — meaning “to be poor, afflicted, humble and weak.” Though it is debated, many believe that the town of Bethany was named such because it was, in effect, the poor house of Jerusalem (Beth “house” — ani “poor, afflicted”). I point this out because this was one of the last places, if not the last place, Messiah visited before entering Jerusalem to be crucified. One one occasion, He traveled to Bethany with the specific intent of raising Lazarus from the dead; an event which prompted some to plot His death. Six days before the fateful Passover, He was in the house of Lazarus once again, and on this occasion, Lazarus’ sister, Mary, anointed His feet with costly oil — something that prompted Him to remind Judas that “the poor you have with you always” (John 12:8).
All of this is to say that, as David reminds us, the Lord thinks upon those who are poor and needy. He gives assistance to those who are not in position to help themselves, and in so doing, provokes us to consider that being poor isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yes, navigating life can be easier if you have the resources to pay for things but, at the same time, as it is written, “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches” (Proverbs 13:7). The greatest of these riches is knowing that the Creator of all things has a special place in His heart for those who are broken, humble and in need — especially when they continue to live a life of integrity. He will make certain that these poor will hear the gospel (Matthew 11:5) and have access to what worldly riches could never buy — the Kingdom of Heaven.
Finally, let us remember that we who are not impoverished are challenged to look upon the poor and needy with compassion, and when possible, to help them as best we can. As it is written, “He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy” (Proverbs 14:31).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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