Social Justice, the Poor and Bible Scriptures
Most Social Justice advocates fight tirelessly for the rights of the poor. Many will argue that justice for the poor and oppressed is hard. In some parts of the world, justice has remained the same, but in much of Western Society, the rights of the poor are continually brought to the eyes and ears of civil society. There is constant discourse about the needs of the poor and homeless.
When dealing with people experiencing poverty, there are two extreme schools of thought. One is that the poor are poor because of laziness, and the other is that the poor are poor due to their environment, race, and not getting a fair chance of succeeding like others.
Regardless of how the poor became impoverished, several scriptures address how God feels about the poor.
Here are some of those verses:
Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalm 41:1
For the LORD heareth the poor and despised not his prisoners. 69:33
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. Psalm 70:5
For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psalm 72:12
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 82:3
He raised up the poor out of the dust, and lifted the needy out of the dunghill; Psalm 113:7
I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. Psalm 132:15
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34;6
All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which delivers the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoiled him? Psalm 35:10
These are just a few scriptures, and it is easy to see that the Lord does not despise a poor person. His heart goes out to the poor, needy, and afflicted. He also planned on how to tend or take care of the poor.
Look at these scriptures:
You shall not strip your vineyard bare, nor shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God. Lev 19:10
The seventh year, you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard and with your olive orchard. Exodus 23:11
"If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him Ex 22:25
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 82:3
There are several other scriptures in the bible, but looking over the above scriptures, it is clear that the poor were to be provided for by their people. The wealthy were to give loans interest-free and allow the poor to eat the overflow from their land. How does that benefit the rich? It does not. The wealthy were admonished to be generous of heart. Deuteronomy 15 is an amazing chapter. It shows God's intention and heart regarding love and mercy in action toward the poor.
Deuteronomy 15 Amplified Version
"At the end of every seven years, you shall grant a release (remission, pardon) from debt. This is the regulation for the release: every creditor shall forgive what has been loaned to his neighbor; he shall not require repayment from his neighbor and his brother because the Lord's release has been proclaimed. You may require repayment from a foreigner, but whatever of yours is with your brother (Israelite), your hand shall release. However, there will be no poor among you since the Lord will most certainly bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess if only you will listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God to observe carefully all these commandments which I am commanding you today. When the Lord God blesses you as he has promised you, then you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow, and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. If there is a poor man among you, one of your fellow Israelites, in any of your cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not be heartless, nor close-fisted with your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend to him whatever he needs. Beware that there is no wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release (remission, pardon), is approaching,' and your eye is hostile (unsympathetic) toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing [since he would not have to repay you]; for he may cry out to the Lord against you and it will become a sin for you. You shall freely and generously give to him, and your heart shall not be resentful when you give to him because for this generous thing, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.
Also, Proverbs 19:17, He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord, And the Lord will repay him for his good deed.
There is a lot to unpack with the above scriptures. So, let us get to it.
1. Every seven years, the Lord asked his people to grant a release from all debt.
2. The Lord's desire was that there be no poor among his people. The way that was supposed to be executed was by generosity and compassion.
3. Giving generously and obeying the Lord bring his blessing of lending and not borrowing
4. The wealthy people of God were never to be tight-fisted with their wealth; they were to open their hearts and hands freely and give in the same way our Father gives to us.
5. God warns against greed in the wealthy
6. God will lend his ear when the poor cry out because of a greedy brother, and it will be accounted to the greedy person as a sin.
We see the Lord's wisdom and heart in these instructions. Wealth is a blessing from God, but also stewardship. Imagine what our economy would look like if there were a release from debt every seven years. There would be fewer poor people all over the world. Release from debt is the freedom to start over and learn from past mistakes. Of course, some would remain wicked and lazy, but again, those would also answer to God. The above way of dealing with the poor is radical justice, and God is a God of justice.
The subject of social justice is complex, and looking at it through the lens of scripture is essential. I look forward to sharing my insights and thoughts with you as I continue this series. I hope you stick with me to the end.
Blessings,
Mary