“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” Proverbs 29:7
Devotional Thought For The Day
What are “the rights of the poor”? Have you ever considered them? Who establishes them and enforces them? Why should the rights of “the poor” be of any special consideration? Why should it be such a wicked thing to not understand them and uphold them? The fact that this question even comes up is strong denunciation of the wretched influence of sin in the world, in the hearts and minds of human beings – for it is quite common for people to think that the poor have few if any rights, or that even if they do have rights, such rights are of little or no consequence since the poor can do little to have their rights enforced. Every day poor people, people with little economic, political, physical, or mental force or strength, are abused, ignored, given little or no respect, treated with contempt, taken advantage of, and otherwise generally disregarded. In some cases they are signaled out for greater abuse – because evil people think there can be no consequences.
So back to the basic question, regarding the rights of the poor. They have the same rights as anyone else, and these rights are given to them by God. It is God Who has created every single human being as His special and precious creature. He has given every human being the dignity of His love and compassion. He sent His Son in love for the world, and He takes away the sin of the world. He wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth [1Tim. 2:4]. He is also full of justice and equity, and wants all people to have fair treatment, opportunity to survive and thrive, and equal protection under the law. The Scripture is full of assurance of God’s care for, protection of, and siding with the poor, especially when they are in need or being abused. “He that lends to the poor lends to the Lord.” [Prov. 19:17] Recall God’s instructions about harvest and gleaning, that some food is to be left in the fields for the poor and needy [Deut. 24:19-22]. What good we do to the least we do to Jesus [Matt. 25:40]. And God warns that He will treat us similarly to how we treat those to whom we deny help and support [“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” Prov. 21:13].
We are not to be unjustly partial to the poor or to defer to the great [Lev. 19:15], however, in that the poor are particularly vulnerable, and in view of God’s gracious love and compassion for all people, it is clearly His will that we do all that we can to better the plight of the poor. In fact, our regard, compassion, and provision for the poor are a direct reflection of the love of God at work in our hearts and minds: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” [1 John 3:17,18] “And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” [1 Jn. 4:21] Whenever we “know the rights of the poor” and do all that we can, utilizing whatever of “the world’s goods” that we have for the sake of those in need, we are in fact reflecting the very nature and character of God. To not have any understanding of or concern for the rights of the poor reflects lack of godliness and even wickedness.
So, now we have considered “the rights of the poor,” and hopefully we will internalize them and take them to heart. Then we will be people of understanding. This is a fruit of knowing God’s gracious gift of forgiveness and salvation, of knowing that He has accounted us to be righteous by faith in Jesus Christ. Hopefully, we will also recognize that we are to love not in mere word or talk but “in deed and in truth.” Then we fully know the rights of the poor, that because of God’s love they have right not only to justice and full equality but also to our compassion, love, and acts of mercy. When we allow God’s love to come to full formation and fruition in our hearts and minds, His love will come to completion in our actual behavior toward the poor, our respect for their rights as fellow human beings, precious creatures of our Heavenly Father. This delivers us from the wickedness of our inborn sin, and is His gracious will and gift to us.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, we struggle with the plight of the poor and the inequalities of life all around us. We struggle also with our own selfish concerns, and our lack of innate love and compassion for others. Forgive us for this wickedness and help us to see Your good and gracious purposes in requiring respect for the rights of the poor, and our loving compassion and mercy toward the poor. Grant these blessings also to us, as we live in the assurance of Your gracious love and forgiveness, aware of Your gifts to us in our poverty. Amen.