Topical Encyclopedia The Bible consistently affirms God's deep concern and unwavering remembrance of the poor. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a defender and provider for those in need, emphasizing His justice, mercy, and compassion.Old Testament Foundations In the Old Testament, God's care for the poor is evident in the laws given to Israel. The Mosaic Law includes numerous provisions to protect and support the impoverished. For instance, 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 ensures that the poor have access to food and sustenance. The Psalms frequently highlight God's remembrance of the poor. Psalm 9:18 declares, "For the needy will not always be forgotten; nor the hope of the oppressed forever dashed." This verse reassures that God does not overlook the plight of the poor, and their hope is secure in Him. Prophetic Voices The prophets also echo God's concern for the poor. Isaiah 41:17 states, "The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them." Here, God promises to provide for the needs of the poor, affirming His commitment to their welfare. Amos, known for his emphasis on social justice, condemns those who exploit the poor and neglect their needs. Amos 5:11-12 warns, "Therefore, because you impose heavy rent on the poor and exact a tribute of grain from them, though you have built houses of well-hewn stone, you will not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, yet you will not drink their wine. For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, you who distress the righteous and accept bribes and turn aside the poor in the gate." New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies God's heart for the poor. In His inaugural sermon, Jesus reads from Isaiah and proclaims, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). Jesus' ministry consistently demonstrates His compassion for the marginalized and His call for His followers to do likewise. The early church continued this mission, as seen in Acts 4:34-35, where believers shared their possessions so that "there were no needy ones among them." The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of remembering the poor, as he writes in Galatians 2:10, "They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." God's Unchanging Character God's remembrance of the poor is rooted in His unchanging character. Psalm 68:5 describes Him as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling." This depiction underscores God's protective and nurturing nature towards those who are vulnerable. The Bible assures that God does not forget the poor, and His people are called to reflect His heart by caring for those in need. Proverbs 19:17 encapsulates this principle: "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse highlights the divine reward for those who act with compassion and justice towards the poor, aligning themselves with God's eternal purposes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 9:18For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Looking Upwards in a Storm. How Perfect Love is Gotten by Cleanness and Love: and of Imperfect ... The Reward of Obedience. The Writing on God's Hands How Holy Love Returning into the Soul, Brings Back to Life all the ... The Second Thing. --Why God, after Rejoicing the Heart, Often ... Are You Prepared to Die? The Saint among Sinners The Holy Nation Treats of How God Suspends the Soul in Prayer by a Trance, Ecstasy ... Resources How does oppressing the poor show contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 14:31)? | GotQuestions.orgIs it better, spiritually, to be poor than to be rich? | GotQuestions.org What is liberation theology? | 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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