Topical Encyclopedia The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of showing kindness and compassion to the poor, with a particular focus on the Jewish community. This theme is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God's concern for the marginalized and His call for His people to act justly and mercifully.Old Testament Foundations The Mosaic Law contains numerous provisions for the care of the poor among the Israelites. Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the responsibility of landowners to provide for the needy, ensuring that the poor have access to food and sustenance. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 further emphasizes this duty: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage highlights the expectation of generosity and open-handedness towards those in need, reflecting God's own compassion. The prophets also echo this call to care for the poor. Isaiah 58:6-7 declares, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the homeless poor into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Here, true worship is linked with acts of justice and mercy towards the impoverished. New Testament Continuation In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies and teaches the importance of kindness to the poor. In the Sermon on the Mount, He states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). While this beatitude speaks to spiritual poverty, it also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's favor towards the humble and needy. Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) further illustrates the call to love and care for one's neighbor, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries. The Samaritan's compassion for the wounded man serves as a model for believers to extend mercy to all, including the poor within the Jewish community. The early church continued this practice of caring for the poor. Acts 4:34-35 records, "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need." This communal sharing ensured that the needs of the poor were met, reflecting the unity and love within the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of remembering the poor. In Galatians 2:10, he recounts, "They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." This commitment to the poor was a central aspect of the apostolic mission and a reflection of the heart of God. Conclusion The biblical mandate to show kindness to the poor, particularly within the Jewish community, is a recurring theme that underscores the character of God as compassionate and just. Believers are called to emulate this divine attribute by actively seeking to meet the needs of the impoverished, thereby fulfilling the law of love and demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Nave's Topical Index Esther 9:22As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. Nave's Topical Index Library Melted by Kindness The Jews Greatly Complain of Archelaus and Desire that they May be ... How Helena the Queen of Adiabene and Her Son Izates, Embraced the ... The Anointing of Jesus. And Jesus Six Days Before the Passover... The Friend of Sinners Barriers Broken Down John iv. 21, 22 John vii. 1, 2 Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ... Resources What does the Bible say about being homeless / homelessness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about having a poor or healthy body image? | GotQuestions.org What is Christian Socialism? | GotQuestions.org Poor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Poor: Atonement Money of, Uniform With That of the Rich People Poor: Inexpensive offerings of People Who Have Very Little Money Poor: Kindness to Congregations Poor: Kindness to Congregations of Macedonia and Achaia Poor: Kindness to Prophet's Widow Poor: Kindness to The Congregation at Antioch (In Syria) Poor: Kindness to The Good Samaritan Poor: Kindness to The Temanites Poor: Kindness to To the Widow of Zarephath Poor: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Poor are Such by God's Appointment The Poor by Mocking, God is Reproached The Poor by Oppressing, God is Reproached The Poor: A Care For is a Fruit of Repentance The Poor: A Care For is Characteristic of Saints The Poor: A Care For: should be Urged The Poor: Care For-Illustrated The Poor: Christ Lived As One of The Poor: Condition of, often Results From: Bad Company The Poor: Condition of, often Results From: Drunkenness and Gluttony The Poor: Condition of, often Results From: Sloth The Poor: Give to not Grudgingly The Poor: Give to Specially If Saints The Poor: Give To without Ostentation The Poor: God is the Refuge of The Poor: God: Despises No the Prayer of The Poor: God: Maintains the Right of The Poor: God: Regards Equally With the Rich The Poor: Harden not the Heart Against The Poor: May Be: Rich in Faith The Poor: Neglect Towards Is: A Neglect of Christ The Poor: Neglect Towards Is: A Proof of Unbelief The Poor: Neglect Towards Is: Inconsistent With Love to God The Poor: Offerings of, Acceptable to God The Poor: Oppression of-Illustrated The Poor: Punishment For: Acting Unjustly Towards The Poor: Punishment For: Oppressing The Poor: Punishment For: Refusing to Assist The Poor: Punishment For: Spoiling The Poor: Regard For: Church at Antioch The Poor: Regard For: Churches of Macedonia and Achaia The Poor: Regard For: Cornelius The Poor: Regard For: Nebuzaradan The Poor: Regard For: Peter and John The Poor: Regard For: Zacchaeus The Poor: Rule Not, With Vigour The Poor: Shall Never Cease out of the Land The Poor: should Commit Themselves to God The Poor: should Provided for Under the Law The Poor: should Rejoice in God The Poor: should when Converted, Rejoice in Their Exaltation The Poor: Shut not the Hand Against The Poor: The Wicked: Care not For The Poor: The Wicked: Despise the Counsel of The Poor: The Wicked: Grind the Faces of The Poor: The Wicked: Persecute The Poor: The Wicked: Regard not the Cause of The Poor: The Wicked: Tread Down The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe are Blessed The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe are Happy The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe: Have Promises The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe: Have the Favour of God The Poor: Wrong not in Judgment Related Terms |
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