Topical Encyclopedia The Bible frequently addresses the plight and oppression of the poor, emphasizing God's concern for justice and righteousness. Throughout Scripture, the poor are often depicted as victims of exploitation and injustice, and God’s people are called to defend and support them.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the oppression of the poor is a recurring theme, particularly in the prophetic literature. The Law of Moses includes numerous provisions to protect the poor from exploitation. For instance, Exodus 22:25 instructs, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest." This command underscores the importance of compassion and fairness in dealings with the impoverished. The prophets frequently condemned the mistreatment of the poor. Isaiah 10:1-2 warns, "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless." Here, the prophet Isaiah highlights the systemic nature of oppression and God's impending judgment on those who perpetuate it. Similarly, Amos speaks against the exploitation of the poor, declaring, "They trample the heads of the poor into the dust of the earth and block the path of the needy" (Amos 2:7). The prophet Amos calls for justice and righteousness, emphasizing that true worship of God is inseparable from ethical treatment of the vulnerable. New Testament Insights In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies and teaches compassion for the poor. In the Beatitudes, He states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). While this refers to spiritual poverty, it reflects a broader divine concern for those who are materially impoverished and oppressed. Jesus' ministry often focused on the marginalized, and He criticized those who neglected justice and mercy. In Matthew 23:23, He rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." This underscores the importance of prioritizing justice for the oppressed. The early church also demonstrated concern for the poor. In Acts 4:34-35, it is recorded, "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need." This communal sharing reflects the early Christians' commitment to alleviating poverty and oppression. A Call to Action The Bible consistently calls believers to act justly and defend the rights of the poor. Proverbs 31:8-9 exhorts, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." This call to advocacy is a central tenet of biblical justice. James 2:5-6 further challenges believers, "Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?" This passage highlights the spiritual value and dignity of the poor, urging Christians to honor and support them. Throughout Scripture, the oppression of the poor is met with divine disapproval, and believers are called to be agents of justice, mercy, and compassion, reflecting God's heart for the marginalized and oppressed. Nave's Topical Index Nehemiah 5:1-13And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews. Nave's Topical Index Job 20:19-21 Job 22:6,7,9-11 Job 24:4,7-10 Psalm 10:2,8-10 Psalm 37:14 Proverbs 14:20 Proverbs 17:5 Proverbs 19:7 Proverbs 22:7,16 Proverbs 28:3,15 Proverbs 30:14 Ecclesiastes 5:8 Isaiah 3:14,15 Isaiah 10:1,2 Isaiah 32:6,7 Ezekiel 18:12 Ezekiel 22:29 Amos 2:6-8 Amos 4:1,2 Amos 5:11,12 Amos 8:4,6 Habakkuk 3:14 James 2:6 Library Of Compassion Character and Condition of the Churches to whom the Epistle was ... How the Soul Attains Hearty Repentance and Gentle Pardon under the ... Dr. Beardsley's Address. The Reformation in Poland and the Consensus of Sendomir. AD 1570. Luther Before the Diet. Luther Before the Diet 'Give Me to Drink' Introduction to the Two Homilies on Eutropius. James v. 1-6 Resources What does the Bible say about giving to the poor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being poor? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to be poor in spirit? | 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 |