In this post, I do not strongly mean and talk how or whether to help a poor financially rather how we approach, behave, show attitude and perceive a person who is financially inferior.
I believe, to show love and care towards the poor is one of the most difficult task. My country India is a developing country but those who are poor becomes more and more poor and those who are rich will rise up and up. I don't know about other countries but we have line up of millionaires. Ambani made news for being world top 5 earners for last 5 years. There are many industrialist, film actors and politician who have money stock that we can't imagine. But I don't remember anyone who has done work like mother Teresa. She was not as rich as others but showed her love and care towards the poor. There are many trusts and NGOs run by celebrities, business tycoons and high profile characters. But that has become philanthropist's show-off. Even if they spend crores on philanthropy work, it will not cause them any pain. Recall the bible story of widow's mite in Mark12:41-43:
“... poor widow has put more into the treasury than all... " because the widow proportionately gave all she had than the rich crowd who only wanted to show their wealth power.
Some where it reads, “ Charity for a cause is not a charity. " Poverty just doesn't mean lack of money but the lack love, caring, respect and privileges. And for one, poor is not one with torn attire and outfit. It may be anyone asking for genuine help, including you and me. Now, money always necessarily doesn't become an answer for help as you know 'money can buy chamber but not slumber'. For instance, let us imagine. How will you react if you are a principal of a school to your low grade workers and staffs? Comparatively they are not as rich as you. Will you be a stern officer or a harsh overriding personality? Your rebuking reaction coming for the sake of being stern is different and having feelings of prejudice on the basis of wealth discrimination is different. Other than this, you too might have experienced wealth discrimination in other forms somewhere and sometime.
“... poor widow has put more into the treasury than all... " because the widow proportionately gave all she had than the rich crowd who only wanted to show their wealth power.
Some where it reads, “ Charity for a cause is not a charity. " Poverty just doesn't mean lack of money but the lack love, caring, respect and privileges. And for one, poor is not one with torn attire and outfit. It may be anyone asking for genuine help, including you and me. Now, money always necessarily doesn't become an answer for help as you know 'money can buy chamber but not slumber'. For instance, let us imagine. How will you react if you are a principal of a school to your low grade workers and staffs? Comparatively they are not as rich as you. Will you be a stern officer or a harsh overriding personality? Your rebuking reaction coming for the sake of being stern is different and having feelings of prejudice on the basis of wealth discrimination is different. Other than this, you too might have experienced wealth discrimination in other forms somewhere and sometime.
There are people in majority who sweat to earn green paper but on other hand there are rich people whose money overflows their safes. Poor are in trouble because they do not have enough money to facilitate themselves while some are in trouble because they fail to prove that their huge earnings are just. For example, in India, for past couple of months 'Black Money in Swiss Back' headlines have become viral when few names were disclosed by the centre (see @ Indiatoday ). Is it that money they earn is not enough to meet their luxury? or some sorts of kleptomania( "is the
recurrent failure to resist
impulses to steal items even
though the items are not
needed for personal use or for
their monetary value." —wikipedia) in disguise?
recurrent failure to resist
impulses to steal items even
though the items are not
needed for personal use or for
their monetary value." —wikipedia) in disguise?
 |
| Attribution : Varun chattering, CC BY-SA 3.0 via wikimedia |
Should poor be looked down?
No, it's not that only righteous are rich. God expresses His love and care for the poor, needy and isolated, then why should we have bad feelings for them.
➡Deuteronomy 10:17-19 says that God doesn't have bias feelings even if they are orphans and widows.
➡Various laws given to the Israelites in Deut 24:19-22 also speak about God's care for helpless. Where it says if someone fail to collect some of the crops, let it be left for the widows, orphans and foreigners
➡Luke 1:39-56: Mary sing a song of praise to God “He has filled the hungry with good things... "
No, it's not that only righteous are rich. God expresses His love and care for the poor, needy and isolated, then why should we have bad feelings for them.
➡Deuteronomy 10:17-19 says that God doesn't have bias feelings even if they are orphans and widows.
➡Various laws given to the Israelites in Deut 24:19-22 also speak about God's care for helpless. Where it says if someone fail to collect some of the crops, let it be left for the widows, orphans and foreigners
➡Luke 1:39-56: Mary sing a song of praise to God “He has filled the hungry with good things... "
God instructs the Israelites in view of poor people (Deut 15:1-11)
In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 15:1-11, talks completely on this topic. It speaks what to be done in 7th year. If some poor has to return you then his debt should be overlooked. Be kind to poor and treat themselves as your brothers. Not to be selfish hearted in giving them, because the Lord will give triple fold blessings of that.
“Give to him freely and unselfishly, and the Lord will bless... "— Deut 15:10
In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 15:1-11, talks completely on this topic. It speaks what to be done in 7th year. If some poor has to return you then his debt should be overlooked. Be kind to poor and treat themselves as your brothers. Not to be selfish hearted in giving them, because the Lord will give triple fold blessings of that.
“Give to him freely and unselfishly, and the Lord will bless... "— Deut 15:10
God displeases when poor are oppressed :
Amos 2:6-16 ➡The bill collectors were harsh on poor. They asked for advance security, so poor only afforded to give their garments as a means of collateral. But the bankers were so shameless that they were using garments as bedding. This chapters shows that God is completely displeased on such oppression of poor.
Amos 2:6-16 ➡The bill collectors were harsh on poor. They asked for advance security, so poor only afforded to give their garments as a means of collateral. But the bankers were so shameless that they were using garments as bedding. This chapters shows that God is completely displeased on such oppression of poor.
James 2:1-13 ➡This letter says on favoritism/Prejudice (unequal treatment and feelings, mostly without proper reason). The whole chapter speaks clearly and directly. We can not favor an evil doer just because he is rich. Similarly, we can not distinct an poor who is honest. Such judging displeases God.
James 5:1-6 (Warning to the rich) ➡God doesn't like piling up of money in excess, not helping poor, earning wealth without honesty and not hearing to poor's cries.
CONCLUSION
Christ Himself took a birth in a poor family. Joseph was a simple carpenter. At that time and even in current era, there was big barrier between rich and poor. Christ didn't want that crowds should fear Him and hesitate to go near Him. He wanted to mingle with low valued people like poor, sick and needy.
“It's not the healthy who needs a doctor, but the sick " —Luke 5:31
Christ Himself took a birth in a poor family. Joseph was a simple carpenter. At that time and even in current era, there was big barrier between rich and poor. Christ didn't want that crowds should fear Him and hesitate to go near Him. He wanted to mingle with low valued people like poor, sick and needy.
“It's not the healthy who needs a doctor, but the sick " —Luke 5:31
Some are rich because of their hardworking, God's blessing and honesty while some are because they have cheated. Similarly, poverty can be due to laziness, drunkenness or either they are oppressed by rich. Now, whatever may the cause be wealth can bring benefits, more friends and also sorrows and troubles. But, remember that God doesn't like being not generous to poor and low class people.
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