If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. - Leviticus 25:35.
When we hear colloquial idioms like, “over the edge,” or “over the top,” we are oft inclined to think in terms of the deliberations that put one in such a position. A person will climb to the point where for better or worse he can boast that he has gone over the edge or over the top. One might also find him or herself “pushed” to that position. And therein lies a significant difference: to reach such a position by one’s own volition or to be put in that position by circumstances.
The deliberate and thoughtful efforts of a man or woman have put many “over the edge.” However, positive ramifications don’t always follow when one does so, especially when they reach such a state by their own volition! “For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” - Ecclesiastes 12:14.
The Scriptures are replete with references to “the poor.” And this is the subject of my post today: poverty, true poverty, as defined by the Bible. The Bible defines true physical poverty just as validly as it defines spiritual poverty.
The title verse refers to a brother who “becomes poor, and falls into poverty.” Mind you, the reference is to one who “falls into poverty,” not one who willfully jumps into that deplorable condition with both feet. In my opening paragraph, I referred to one who deliberately goes over the edge, not to someone who has fallen into rough times. The distinction is of the utmost importance when considering our Christian duty to feed the hungry! “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:10. “Will not work,” as opposed to “cannot work!”
Scripture makes it abundantly clear that there is a world of difference between one who through no fault of his own has fallen into poverty and one who has deliberately jumped over the edge into that debased life without hope or promise.
Those who have been injured, become sick, are too young or old to work for themselves, or those who have been laid-off and gotten behind on their mortgages trying to feed themselves and their families - these are prime examples of those who have fallen into poverty. They didn’t choose to be in those straits. There are others, however, who deliberately refuses to seek gainful employment despite being healthy and capable. Inevitably, they will find themselves in destitution and a burden upon those around them. This latter is an example of one who has chosen the path of poverty for himself. The former cannot help himself while the latter will not help himself. There is a difference! One is willing and ready for a hand up, while the other wants only a hand-out. “How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.” - Proverbs 6:9-11.
But who, honestly, is entitled to our Christian charity? We find constant references in Scripture to our being duty-bound to provide for “widows and orphans.” We must remember that the terms describing those in need are merely representative of the destitute. Historically and culturally, these two classes of individuals represented those who could not fend for themselves. Married women in the Bible were always provided for by their husbands. Should the husband die, the widows were often left destitute. The ancient culture made it extremely difficult for these widows to provide for themselves. Without a family to provide for them, they found themselves on the margins of society.
Children who became orphans were also left out in the cold unless surviving family members provided for them. In today’s society, parents who are addicted to alcohol or drugs and exist in poverty because of their poor choices essentially place their own children in the position of being modern day “orphans” in the sense that they fail to provide for their children’s earthly needs. Here then we see again the concept that widows and orphans represent those who have fallen into poverty through no fault of their own and our Christian duty to help provide for them. “He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.” - Deuteronomy 10: 18.
As difficult as it is to say it: we cannot be blinded by misplaced compassion. Every dime, every expenditure squandered on an undeserving person is a drain on the resources available to those who are truly in need. Let us pray for the knowledge to use our Christian discernment when reaching out with our hearts and hands to the truly poor among us.
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