Topical Encyclopedia The Bible consistently emphasizes God's concern for the poor and His call for them to place their hope in Him. Throughout Scripture, the poor are encouraged to trust in God's provision, justice, and ultimate deliverance. This entry explores the biblical perspective on the poor and their hope in God, drawing from various passages in the Berean Standard Bible .God's Concern for the Poor The Bible reveals God's deep compassion for the poor and His desire to protect and provide for them. In Psalm 9:18 , it is written, "For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the oppressed forever dashed." This verse underscores God's commitment to remembering the poor and ensuring their hope is not in vain. Hope in God's Provision The Scriptures assure the poor that God is their provider. In Matthew 6:31-33 , Jesus instructs, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This passage encourages the poor to prioritize their relationship with God, trusting that He will meet their needs. God's Justice for the Poor The Bible also promises justice for the poor, affirming that God will act on their behalf. Proverbs 22:22-23 warns, "Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them." This assurance of divine justice provides hope to the poor, knowing that God will defend their cause. Hope in God's Deliverance The poor are encouraged to hope in God's deliverance from their afflictions. Psalm 34:6 declares, "This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles." This testimony of deliverance serves as a powerful reminder that God hears the cries of the poor and is able to rescue them from their distress. The Role of the Righteous The Bible calls upon the righteous to be instruments of God's hope for the poor. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse highlights the responsibility of believers to show compassion and generosity to the poor, reflecting God's heart and providing tangible hope. The Poor in Spirit In the Beatitudes, Jesus extends the concept of poverty beyond material lack to spiritual humility. Matthew 5:3 proclaims, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This teaching emphasizes that those who recognize their spiritual neediness and depend on God are truly blessed, as they inherit the kingdom of heaven. Eternal Hope Ultimately, the Bible offers the poor an eternal hope that transcends their present circumstances. James 2:5 reminds 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 to those who love Him?" This promise assures the poor that their faith in God secures an eternal inheritance, providing hope that endures beyond this life. In summary, the Bible consistently encourages the poor to place their hope in God, who is their provider, defender, and deliverer. Through His promises and the actions of His people, God offers the poor a hope that is both immediate and eternal. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 5:16So the poor has hope, and iniquity stops her mouth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library How Love is Practised in Hope. Letter viii. --violent Temptations. Christ's Advice to Invite the Poor in Accordance with Isaiah the ... A Poor but Happy Boy. Psalm XIV. That Pious Parents have Reason to Hope it is Well with those Dear ... Psalm XXII. The Lord and the Leper God Wills Our Good. Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God 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 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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