Topical Bible: The Poor: Neglect Towards Is: A Neglect of Christ

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The biblical perspective on the poor is deeply rooted in the understanding that neglecting the needs of the impoverished is tantamount to neglecting Christ Himself. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the moral and spiritual imperative to care for those in need.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently underscores God's concern for the poor and the expectation that His followers will reflect this concern in their actions. In the Old Testament, the Law given to Israel includes numerous provisions for the care of the poor, such as leaving gleanings in the fields (Leviticus 19:9-10) and the Year of Jubilee, which provided for the release of debts (Leviticus 25:10).

In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings further illuminate this principle. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus identifies Himself with the poor and needy, stating, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me" (Matthew 25:40). This passage, part of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, highlights the direct connection between serving the poor and serving Christ.

Neglect as a Spiritual Issue

Neglecting the poor is not merely a social or economic issue but a profound spiritual failing. The prophets of the Old Testament frequently rebuked Israel for neglecting justice and mercy towards the poor. Isaiah 58:6-7 calls for true fasting, which includes "to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the homeless poor into your house."

The Apostle James echoes this sentiment in the New Testament, emphasizing that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-17). He challenges believers to demonstrate their faith through tangible acts of compassion, particularly towards those in need.

Christ's Identification with the Poor

Christ's identification with the poor is a central theme in His ministry. He was born into humble circumstances, lived a life without material wealth, and consistently ministered to the marginalized. In Luke 4:18 , Jesus declares His mission: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor."

This identification is not merely symbolic but a call to action for His followers. The early church took this mandate seriously, as seen in Acts 4:34-35 , where believers shared their possessions so that "there was no needy one among them."

Moral and Ethical Implications

The neglect of the poor is a neglect of Christ's command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39). It reflects a failure to embody the love and compassion that are hallmarks of the Christian faith. Proverbs 14:31 states, "Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him."

The call to care for the poor is not optional but integral to the Christian life. It is a reflection of God's character and a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. As believers, the mandate is clear: to see Christ in the faces of the poor and to respond with love, generosity, and justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 25:42-45
For I was an hungered, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Worldly Business no Plea for the Neglect of Religion
... that which is to come; then to neglect this important ... a sad abuse of God's great
bounty towards them, think ... them above religion, and so let the poor, who live ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/worldly business no plea for.htm

The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of all Christians ...
... accomplished all that was in his heart towards us; that he ... with moderation, and a
regard to the poor of this ... all moderation: we are not to neglect our callings ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the observation of the birth.htm

The Dryness of Preachers, and the Various Evils which Arise from ...
... EXHORTATION TO PASTORS TO LEAD PEOPLE TOWARDS THIS FORM ... is the loss of those who
neglect the inner ... Go, poor children, and speak to your Heavenly Father in your ...
/.../chapter xviii the dryness of.htm

Christ the Support of the Tempted
... be unto you as he was to the poor Syrophoenician woman ... to regard your families, and
if you neglect them out ... all the persecution you have used towards his members ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the support of the.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... thereby the goodness and bounty of God towards me, may ... the grace and life that is
in Christ by the ... attained, according to the rate of other poor men's children ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

On the First Floor of an Ancient Mansion, in a Street which Slopes ...
... Aubrey drew a chair slowly towards the desk where Gherardi had ... Mass;"when one notes
the dirt, the neglect, the gim ... you know there is only a poor weak old man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xx on the first floor.htm

Christ.
... crown, nor a kingdom, nor a throne that shall make Christ neglect his poor ones
on ... church preferred above the pity and bowels of a mother towards her child ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/vii christ.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... whether breakfast or dinner - the latter towards evening, although ... by way of
self-righteousness, the poor were brought ... was, when he observed His neglect of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... had been the prince, and he the poor man. ... they carry themselves with such pride and
neglect towards them, that ... Our Lord Christ herein set a pattern to children ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

Sanctified for Service.
... interest for him, the suffering poor, the downtrodden ... to contribute in some degree
towards the filling ... responsibilities for the cultivation or neglect of any ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xix sanctified for service.htm