In the Old Testament, there is more of a meaning to it, because the Old Testament is before Jesus was born. A few verses that are related to Poverty are:
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Proverbs 9:17 – “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done”
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Proverbs 22:9 - “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."
Biblical passages like The Teaching about Charity and The Good Samaritan are all clearly linked. We must all use our Talents to help the poor (Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30). If we help others, we are helping Jesus, doing this equals eternal life in Heaven. As we are all in a Family of Christ, we should help our Brothers and sisters, it’s our duty. Jesus told the Rich Young Man to receive eternal life he must give his wealth to the Poor, but he foolishly refused. We shouldn’t turn Jesus down! Why should we be selfish with our wealth, because when we reach the Kingdom of God, wealth means nothing! The only thing that means something is for us to fulfil Jesus’ wishes and help our Family, before he returns or calls us home. Then we will be judged on how we took part in the help to those who needed it most!
The writer provides ample warning for Christians in such situations…“My brothers, as believers in our Lord , don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here’s a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are in the eyes of the world to be rich in and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in , ‘ your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you and are convicted by the as lawbreakers.”
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Why is it the natural thing for us humans to notice those with wealth and popularity, but almost ignore those who are poor? This should not be… tells us so; Jesus tells us so throughout the ; and looking back through history we can see that God’s heart is overwhelmingly for the poor. If the Lord who we serve and try to model our lives after cares so much for the poor, then so should we!
