The Poor in Proverbs

I just searched in the NIV Bible version on my Palm for the word "poor." It occurs 177 times in the Bible -- quite a lot -- so I thought that today I'd share a few verses on what the Bible says about the poor from one of my favorite books in the Bible: Proverbs.

I'm not going to do much commentary on these verses, but I am going to ask you to comment. But before we get into that, here are three of my favorite verses regarding the poor from the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 19:17 -- He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 21:13 -- If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 29:7 -- The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Some great thoughts in these verses -- lots to meditate on this week.

In case you're wondering, Proverbs mention the "poor" 36 times in total.

That leads me to my question for you this week: what's your favorite verse on the poor and why? Leave a comment below and let us all know.

Finally, if you're looking to help the poor, I can't recommend Samaritan's Purse enough. They have a real heart for the poor throughout the world and are always among the top-rated charities as far as how they handle and spend their donations. My wife and I have been supporters of theirs for years and I recommend them without reservation.

Comments

[Sarah Leon]

This is my favorite passage on the poor and others in need; although it doesn't use the word "poor," Jesus is clearly including them. From The Message, Matthew 25, Jesus is telling a story:

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"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, "Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'

"Then those "sheep are going to say, "Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, "I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me.'

"Then he will turn to the "goats,' the ones on his left, and say, "Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because--

I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

"Then those "goats' are going to say, "Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'

"He will answer them, "I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me--you failed to do it to me.'

"Then those "goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the "sheep' to their eternal reward."

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I really like this passage because...well, it just touches me. Every person in need is as worthy of help as Jesus himself, whether or not s/he did something to get him/herself in that situation. If we close our eyes and only help those we deem "worthy," or help just because some cause is currently popular, we damn ourselves.

[coglethorpe]

Matthew 6:1-4

It outlines the attitude of charity. Not giving for glory, but for the good of the poor. Our rewards will come from above.

[Linda Noton]

Other great passages is in Psalm 37:16-22 ("SENSE OF TRUE VALUE") 16.A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17.For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:but the Lord upholdeth the righteous!! (18th) (19th) (20th) (21st)The wicked borroweth,and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth. (22)For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the Earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.(16-37 is a Psalm of David;a servant of the Lord).(also see Proverbs 3:33)

To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David! Psalm 41:1
1.BlESSED IS he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. ( This is my favorite I will have to say)
Linda Noton 11-23-08

[poor boomer]

I never expected to see the words "Palm" and "poor" in the same sentence.