Topical Bible: The Poor: Despise Not

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The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of compassion and justice towards the poor, urging believers not to despise or neglect them. This theme is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God's concern for the marginalized and His call for His people to reflect His character in their treatment of the less fortunate.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the treatment of the poor, with numerous laws and teachings designed to protect and provide for them. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 , the Israelites are commanded: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage underscores the expectation of generosity and open-handedness towards those in need.

Proverbs also offers wisdom on this subject, warning against despising the poor. Proverbs 14:31 states, "Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him." This verse links the treatment of the poor directly to one's relationship with God, suggesting that kindness to the needy is a form of honoring the Creator.

Prophetic Voices

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of social justice, calling out the mistreatment of the poor and urging repentance. Isaiah 58:6-7 captures this prophetic call: "Is not this the fast I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Here, true worship is equated with acts of justice and mercy towards the impoverished.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry is marked by His attention to the poor and marginalized. In the Sermon on the Mount, He declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). While this beatitude speaks to spiritual poverty, it reflects a broader kingdom ethic that values humility and dependence on God, often exemplified by the materially poor.

Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46 further illustrates the importance of caring for the needy. In this parable, the righteous are commended for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned. Jesus concludes, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me" (Matthew 25:40), equating service to the poor with service to Himself.

Apostolic Teachings

The early church continued this emphasis on caring for the poor. In Galatians 2:10 , Paul recounts the agreement with the other apostles to "remember the poor," which he was eager to do. James 2:5-6 warns against favoritism, reminding believers that "God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him." James further admonishes that showing partiality dishonors the poor and contradicts the faith.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to "despise not" the poor is clear and compelling. Throughout Scripture, God's people are called to reflect His justice, mercy, and compassion by caring for those in need, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual as created in the image of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 14:21
He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 2:2-4
For if there come to your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 16, "He that Rejecteth You ...
... and set us in their place, see that ye despise not us, lest ... me to say, "Live well,
that ye may not die ill ... 3. Remember that rich and that poor man in the Gospel ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lii on the words.htm

The Duty of Remembering the Poor
... Remember, too, that thou thyself mayst be like thy poor brother ere long, therefore,
take heed that thou despise him not, for some one will despise thee. Oh! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the duty of remembering the.htm

That it is Sweet to Despise the World and to Serve God
... It ought not to seem a great thing to me to serve Thee ... Thou art my God, and I am
Thy poor servant, who ... honour, great glory to serve Thee, and to despise all for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter x that it is.htm

The Tenth Chapter: to Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet
... It should not seem much to me; instead it should appear ... You are my Lord, and I am
Your poor servant, bound ... a great glory to serve You and to despise all things ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the tenth chapter to despise.htm

The Prayer of the Poor, and the Loving and Desiring to Die: and of ...
... When the devout poor man is noyed on account of ... that happens, and should think on
death, not with bitterness ... it that quickly thou makest it despise all passing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xvi the prayer of.htm

Testimonies. 1. Of the Benefit of Good Works and Mercy.
... Break thy bread to the hungry, and bring the houseless poor into thy dwelling. If
thou seest the naked, clothe him; and despise not them of thy own seed in thy ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/testimonies 1 of the benefit.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 19-22
... said, that we may not despise adjurations, especially when any entreat us for things
that are good, as for alms, and for works of mercy. But now poor men, who ...
/.../homily xi 1 thessalonians v.htm

Argument: Fate is Nothing, Except So Far as Fate is God. Man's ...
... No one can be so poor as he is born. ... whose is the whole; but we would rather despise
riches than ... suffer the human mischiefs of the body is not punishment"it ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxxvi argument fate is nothing.htm

How Some Persons are Unconsciously Attracted by God.
... O Wisdom Elect! since in Thee I have found Him whom my soul loveth, despise not
Thy poor creature. See how dumb my heart is to all the world in joy and sorrow. ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter i how some persons.htm

Human Soot
... Still less do we hear that the sufferer was the child of some poor soldier's wife,
or even of some drunken camp-follower ... "Take heed that ye despise not one of ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxiii human soot.htm