Topical Bible: The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe: Have Promises

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The Bible consistently emphasizes God's special concern for the poor and His promises to those who, despite their material poverty, maintain faith in Him. Throughout Scripture, the poor are not only recipients of God's compassion but are also often depicted as possessing a unique spiritual richness due to their reliance on God.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for understanding God's heart for the poor. 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 underscores the perpetual presence of poverty and the responsibility of God's people to care for the impoverished.

The Psalms frequently highlight God's protection and provision for the poor. Psalm 9:18 declares, "For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the oppressed forever dashed." This verse assures the poor that their plight is not overlooked by God, and their hope is secure in Him.

Prophetic Promises

The prophets also speak to the promises given to 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 meet the needs of the poor, affirming His faithfulness to those who trust in Him.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies God's promise to the poor. In His inaugural sermon, Jesus reads from Isaiah and proclaims in Luke 4:18 , "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor." This declaration positions Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises, bringing hope and salvation to the impoverished.

The Beatitudes further highlight the blessed state of the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This beatitude reveals that those who recognize their spiritual poverty and depend on God are promised the riches of His kingdom.

Apostolic Teachings

The apostles continue this theme, emphasizing the spiritual wealth of the faithful poor. James 2:5 asks, "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?" This rhetorical question affirms that the poor, through their faith, are heirs to God's kingdom.

Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the generosity and faith of the poor. In 2 Corinthians 8:2 , he writes of the Macedonian churches, "In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity." This passage illustrates how the faith of the poor can lead to spiritual abundance and impact the broader Christian community.

Eternal Promises

The Bible concludes with promises of eternal reward for the faithful poor. Revelation 2:9 acknowledges the suffering of the impoverished believers in Smyrna: "I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!" This acknowledgment assures the poor that their faithfulness will be rewarded in eternity, where material wealth is of no consequence.

Throughout Scripture, the poor who believe in faith are assured of God's promises. They are depicted as recipients of divine favor, spiritual richness, and eternal inheritance, underscoring the profound truth that God's kingdom is open to all who trust in Him, regardless of their earthly circumstances.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 28:27
He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 14:13,14
But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Faith
... on the bough of a tree, so a poor trembling sinner ... True faith is always in a heart
bruised for sin ... They, therefore, whose hearts were never touched for sin, have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 1 faith.htm

Faith and Acceptance
... people of their diseases when they had faith in His ... confidence in Him concerning
things which they could not see ... The poor sufferer was helpless; he had not used ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 6 faith and acceptance.htm

The Omnipotence of Faith
... such hosts of so-called Christians have such poor, feeble Christianity. ... and turn
them into the prayer of faith, so shooting back whence they came His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the omnipotence of faith.htm

Conditions of Effectual Prayer.
... They get the assurance of faith, which says, "Yes, it ... Christian friends know the
thing they are praying for ... jumbling there is, in dealing with poor souls at ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter vii conditions of effectual.htm

The Plea of Faith
... Faith has good reasons to feel that God is true ... get worn out by being circulated,
and they become all ... Poor sinner, here again is a joyful thought: thou canst go ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the plea of faith.htm

Salvation by Faith
... objections occur, then we are simply told that salvation by faith only ought ... The
poor? Nay; they have a peculiar right to have the gospel preached unto them. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm

Mr. Moody and Mr. Radstock.
... people, lost people, ruined people""his faith is counted ... Mr. R."No doubt; because
they have not believed ... Shepherd will not turn His poor wandering sheep ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/iii mr moody and mr radstock.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case ...
... as the only refuge and shadow for a poor, weary, scorched ... souls with joy; for that
is really the exercise of faith. ... and not to such only as know they do believe ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xvii how to make.htm

The Necessity of Increased Faith
... Poor Little Faith could not have slain "Giant Despair;" it ... shall praise him aloud
in their beds, they shall sing ... be saved with ever so little faith, but you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the necessity of increased faith.htm

Of Miracles which were Wrought that the World Might Believe in ...
... at Hippo, Florentius, an old man, religious and poor, who supported ... he laid down
his life for this faith that such ... He will and as He will; but they are not as ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of miracles which were.htm