A Balanced View of Poverty

A Balanced View of Poverty.
Proverbs 21-25
Proverbs 22:22-23, Do not rob the poor because he is poor or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord will plead their case and take the life of those who rob them.”

Today, there is a great deal of debate and discussion regarding social justice, poverty, homelessness, and work. Some argue that the homeless are on the streets because of the failure of society, and so we have a responsibility to provide for them. There are those who argue that homelessness is a result of the individual’s own actions, and so we should not help them to hold them accountable for their choices. Some argue that poverty is a result of external circumstances, while others argue that it is a result of personal decisions. So how do we navigate the political debate and the moral responsibilities we have?

As we read the proverbs, we see three critical principles that lay the foundation for social justice and our treatment of the poor. To begin, we are reminded that riches are not the basis for success in life or even security in life. In our culture, we promote the ideology that wealth and financial security are the basis for security. Those who are poor are often regarded as being “at risk.”  However, Proverbs provides us with a different perspective. Instead of wealth being the basis for security, it becomes the foundation of our destruction. To see our heart upon the pursuit of wealth to obtain security in life is to pursue a myth (23:4-6). Money does not satisfy, nor does it provide absolute security. While God blesses those who work diligently, when money rather than God becomes the object of our pursuit and the thing we trust for security, it will fail. More important than wealth is the pursuit of wisdom (24:3-4). This is the starting point for our understanding of wealth, prosperity, and poverty. WE view poverty as a curse and wealth as a blessing. However, wealth itself may become a curse when it becomes our obsession in life.

The second principle begins with the condemnation of the sluggard. The sluggard is a person who has no inclination to work. They would rather pursue pleasure rather than discipline. They have no discipline or initiative to work. Their lack of desire to work is a moral failure. Work is more than just an obligation; it is part of God’s design for us. To refuse to work is a rejection of God’s intent for us. As a result, they refuse to work (21:25). The invent excuses why they could not work (22:13). He neglects to care for what his possessions (2430-31). This individual cannot expect any help. Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that such a person should not expect any help from others, for part of the correction is confronting him with the consequences of his actions.

The third principle we see in Proverbs concerns our attitude toward the poor. While some are sluggards, many face circumstances beyond their control. They are unable to afford the necessities of life, not because of their own laziness, but because of circumstances and events beyond their control.   These are individuals whom God requires us to help. The mark of the godly is their generosity and help for the poor (Proverbs 22:9). The danger is that we can become indifferent and make the assumption that all those who are poor are in their situation because of their own fault. But this is often not the case.  There are many in poverty because of circumstances beyond their control. God not only cares for the poor, but he also requires that his people do the same. In the end, God will bring poverty and judgment upon him (21:13). We are to respond with compassion and love. It is easy to drive by the homeless with indifference and a lack of concern. Instead, we should be reminded that we are required to help. Sometimes that involves providing for them; sometimes, it consists of holding them accountable for their refusal to work. Both are acts of love. Love must be generous, but it also requires accountability. Therefore, before we condemn the poor, we need to understand why they are in the situation they are in.

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