What does "you will always have the poor" reveal about societal responsibilities? Setting the Scene: Jesus’ Remark in Bethany Matthew 26:11; Mark 14:7; John 12:8 record Jesus’ words in the house of Simon the leper: “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.” Spoken as Mary poured expensive perfume on Him, the statement echoes Deuteronomy 15:11 and frames poverty as an ongoing reality this side of the kingdom’s consummation. Recognizing a Broken World • Jesus affirms that material lack persists because creation still groans under sin’s curse (Romans 8:20-22). • A realistic worldview keeps believers from utopianism while guarding against fatalism; continuing poverty does not equal complacency. God’s Heart for the Poor • Deuteronomy 15:11: “For there will never cease to be poor in the land; therefore I command you to open your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.” • Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22 – gleaning laws built generosity into Israel’s economy. • Proverbs 19:17 – the Lord treats kindness to the poor as a loan He will repay. • James 1:27; 1 John 3:17 – care for the vulnerable is a test of genuine faith. Our Personal Mandate • Open-handed giving: deliberate, cheerful, sacrificial (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). • Dignifying work: “labor…so that he may have something to share” (Ephesians 4:28). • Relational involvement: knowing names, stories, specific needs (Luke 10:33-35). • Balanced discernment: 2 Thessalonians 3:10 guards against enabling idleness, pairing compassion with wisdom. The Church’s Collective Duty • Family priority: “especially to the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10). • Shared resources: Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35 show voluntary redistribution, not coercive state action. • Diaconal structure: Acts 6:1-6 models organized, accountable relief. • Prophetic voice: defending the powerless (Isaiah 1:17) while keeping the gospel central. The Balance of Worship and Service • Jesus honored Mary’s lavish devotion, proving that extravagant love for Him and practical love for neighbors are not rivals. • Rightly ordered priorities: worship fuels service; service verifies worship (Matthew 22:37-39). Practical Steps Today • Budget generosity first; live on the remainder. • Support faithful ministries addressing poverty with both gospel and goods. • Create employment, apprenticeships, micro-enterprise opportunities. • Advocate for just laws that protect property, reward diligence, and restrain exploitation (Proverbs 14:31). • Engage in sustained relationships—mentoring, financial counseling, hospitality. • Persevere: “Let us not grow weary in well-doing” (Galatians 6:9). Summing Up “You will always have the poor” is neither an excuse for neglect nor a pessimistic sigh. It is a sober reminder that, until Christ returns, believers and churches bear ongoing responsibility to mirror God’s mercy through generous, wise, and gospel-rooted care for those in need. |
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