Struggling with Poverty

Scripture: There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11

Observation: As Moses reminds Israel of the law concerning the forgiveness of debts every seven years, he also reminds them of the fact they are not to consider that law when lending. The especially are not to withhold their lending practices just because the year of forgiveness is soon. The idea they may lend the money and have to soon forgive the debt is an act of generosity toward the poor.

Moses points out that there will always be poor people in the land, a fact Jesus also states ... you will always have the poor among you. Moses puts the treatment of the poor into the context of Israel. There will be poor, therefore be generous toward Israelites. The law of debt forgiveness, in fact, does not extend to foreigners (v3) or other nations (v6). The people of Israel, in this way, are creating a special provision for the poor of their own nationality only.

Application: We have SO many poor in our world today. This is a struggle every Christian has ... how to show mercy and care for the poor in a time and place where poverty is both overwhelming and socially complex. There are poor in other nations caused by oppression and lack of resources. There are poor on our own streets caused by self-inflicted drug abuse. And there is every type of poverty and cause in between.

We need guidance for caring for the poor, and it is likely there in the bible if we pay attention. By my reading, I see two types of care.

First, within the body of Christ, give generously without any hesitation or expectation of return. This is the nature of the laws of Moses.

Second, for all of mankind, show loving mercy toward their afflictions. This is the model of Jesus, who did not give to the poor but compared their afflictions to any unfortunate circumstance and actively healed them even on the sabbath.

Prayer: Lord, you know we have terrible societal problems around us, especially in Seattle. Drug issues compound mental health problems, and create an ever-present scene of poverty. In this, we also know that there are places in Africa and Asia where, by any standard, people starve and die due to basic need. It is hard to understand what to do about all of this. May your people, myself included, find your instructions. Amen.