In the ancient world, being poor was an incredibly desperate situation.

If you didn’t have family to take you in, you were basically thrown into a world of hunger, begging, stereotypes, ridicule, slave labour, prostitution or violence. Christians or Jews often came into the picture and provided much-needed help. But beyond that, you were basically on your own.

Today we have a lot more support in place to help people who are struggling. There are food banks, shelters, and government programs. This isn’t to diminish the seriousness of poverty today; I’m simply highlighting the severity of the ancient world. 

In that context, Solomon wrote Proverbs 14:31: “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Since we are all made in God’s image—including people in poverty—we should all be shown respect. Perhaps it was easier to oppress poor people. They didn’t have any money, nor did they know people of influence to defend them. 

But the fact that they are made in God’s image should compel God’s people to treat them fairly. In fact, “whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

That’s something we need to remember today.

A plague on modern Christianity is me-and-Jesus spirituality. Yes, we should have a personal relationship with him. But it shouldn’t ONLY be personal. It expands outward. If your faith is to have any resemblance to what is described in the Bible, you will be seeking opportunities to help others, including the poor.

I’m not suggesting that you sell all your possessions and start living on the streets in an act of solidarity. I’m suggesting (a) that we acknowledge that all people are made in God’s image, including the poor, and (b) that we show kindness to the needy.

When we do that—whether it be material generosity, having a conversation, or providing longer-term assistance—not only are we helping them, but we are honouring God.

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.