Topical Bible: The Poor: Made by God

◄ The Poor: Made by God ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of poverty and the existence of the poor are recurring themes throughout the Bible, reflecting both the socio-economic realities of ancient times and the theological insights into God's providence and justice. The Bible presents the poor not merely as a social class but as individuals who hold a special place in God's heart and divine plan.

Creation and Divine Sovereignty

The Bible affirms that God is the Creator of all people, including the poor. Proverbs 22:2 states, "The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all" . This verse underscores the belief that all human beings, regardless of their economic status, are created by God and possess inherent dignity and worth. The existence of the poor is not outside God's sovereign will but is part of the complex tapestry of human life under divine providence.

God's Concern for the Poor

Scripture consistently reveals God's deep concern for the poor and His call for justice and compassion towards them. In Deuteronomy 15:11, God commands His people, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land" . This directive highlights the perpetual presence of poverty and the responsibility of God's people to act with generosity and kindness.

The Psalms frequently echo this divine concern. Psalm 140:12 declares, "I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy" . God's justice is portrayed as actively working on behalf of the poor, ensuring that their rights and needs are upheld.

Jesus and the Poor

In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry is marked by a profound focus on the poor. In Luke 4:18, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" . This mission statement emphasizes the priority of the poor in Jesus' redemptive work. His teachings, such as the Beatitudes, further affirm the blessedness of the poor in spirit and the promise of the kingdom of heaven to them (Matthew 5:3).

Jesus' identification with the poor is also evident in His life and actions. He lived a life of simplicity and often associated with those marginalized by society. His parables, such as the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), serve as poignant reminders of the eternal significance of how one treats the poor.

The Church's Role

The early Church continued Jesus' mission to care for the poor. Acts 4:34-35 describes the communal sharing among believers, ensuring that "there was no needy one among them" . The apostolic letters, such as James 2:5, remind believers that "God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him" .

The Church is called to emulate Christ's compassion and justice, advocating for the poor and addressing the root causes of poverty. This mission is not merely a social obligation but a reflection of God's heart and His kingdom values.

Eternal Perspective

The Bible offers an eternal perspective on poverty, reminding believers that earthly wealth is temporary and that true riches are found in a relationship with God. Revelation 2:9 acknowledges the spiritual wealth of those who are materially poor, "I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!" . This paradox highlights the eternal value of faith and the promise of God's kingdom to those who trust in Him.

In summary, the Bible presents the poor as integral to God's creation and redemptive plan. They are recipients of His special care and are to be treated with dignity and compassion by His people. Through the lens of Scripture, poverty is not merely a social issue but a profound opportunity to reflect God's love and justice in the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 34:19
How much less to him that accepts not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 22:2
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4442. pur -- fire
... Neuter Transliteration: pur Phonetic Spelling: (poor) Short Definition ... we obey this
imparted faith from God by His ... Tabernacle where the priests made sweet-savor ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4442.htm - 7k

Library

A Poor but Happy Boy.
... he continued seeking after the knowledge of God, till the ... At his first sickening
the poor child was greatly amazed ... that his soul was still in, made his trouble ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/a poor but happy boy.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... I might taste the sweetness of it; and I made as much ... In these things, I protest
before God, I lye not ... of the devil is more usual among poor creatures, than ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

God's World
... to die for us poor wretches on the cross,"that same love, that same power, that
same Word of God, who made heaven and earth, looks after the poor gnats in ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon i gods world.htm

The Reward of Obedience.
... reward of hell, and involves no greatness; to be made greater than ... endeavour to share
with others the best things God has given ... 'Blessed be ye poor, for yours ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the reward of obedience.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection.
... bodies of men, and those perhaps chiefly poor and mean ... who never sought to him) have
been made to subserve the great design of almighty God in saving ...
/.../section iii answer to mr.htm

The Magnificence of Prayer
... the Old; and in nothing more than in this in the men,"and in their mothers,"who
were made Kings and Priests unto God. "The Lord maketh poor," sang Samuel's ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/i the magnificence of prayer.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Jesus Christ.
... We are poor, finite, sinful human beings, and can never even approach the boundless ...
by accepting Him as a perfect Saviour that He "is made of God unto us ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vi entire sanctification as.htm

Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide
... When the earth is made poor for us, sometimes the heavens become rich. God closed
the eyes of Milton to the beauty in land and sea and sky, that he might see ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/hillis god the unwearied.htm

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... groan; On mercy's wings I swiftly fly The poor and needy to ... there is really no occasion
for it: God hath answered ... He made man in His own image, a spirit endued ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/wesley gods love to.htm

The Poor Man's Friend
... asking a question,"If the spiritually poor commit themselves ... but they commit themselves
to God's grace, and ... omnipotence; and his strength is made perfect in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 53 1907/the poor mans friend.htm