In the biblical narrative, the theme of God's concern for the poor and His commitment to maintaining their rights is a recurring and significant motif. The Scriptures consistently reveal God's heart for justice and His special attention to the needs and rights of the impoverished.

Divine Justice and Advocacy

God's character as a just and righteous judge is foundational to His relationship with the poor. In Psalm 140:12, the psalmist declares, "I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy." This verse underscores God's active role in ensuring that the rights of the poor are protected and that justice is served on their behalf.

God's Commands to His People

Throughout the Old Testament, God commands His people to reflect His concern for the poor through their actions. In Deuteronomy 15:11, God instructs the Israelites, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land." This command highlights the expectation that God's people will be instruments of His justice and compassion, providing for the needs of the poor and upholding their rights.

Prophetic Advocacy

The prophets of Israel frequently spoke out against the mistreatment of the poor and called for justice on their behalf. In Isaiah 10:1-2, the prophet condemns those who "enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people." Here, the prophetic voice aligns with God's own commitment to maintaining the rights of the poor, emphasizing that societal structures should not exploit or marginalize them.

The Example of Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus embodies God's concern for the poor through His teachings and actions. In Luke 4:18, Jesus begins His ministry by proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor." This declaration sets the tone for His ministry, which consistently prioritized the marginalized and oppressed, affirming their worth and advocating for their rights.

The Church's Responsibility

The early church continued this legacy of caring for the poor, as seen in the communal sharing described in Acts 4:34-35: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need." This practice reflects the church's commitment to living out God's justice and maintaining the rights of the poor within the community of believers.

Conclusion

The biblical witness is clear: God maintains the right of the poor, calling His people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). Through His commands, the prophetic witness, the example of Jesus, and the practices of the early church, God demonstrates His unwavering commitment to justice for the poor and His expectation that His followers will do the same.Psalm 140:12
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Immutability of God
... all things; this God fashioned the world: he upholds and maintains it ... prayed this
morning, before coming up to the house of God. ... you poor heathen, don't you pray ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the immutability of god.htm

Calumny Concerning the Righteousness of the Prophets and Apostles.
... property and appropriated it to the poor, and possesses ... a true and catholic faith
in God, must yet ... right faith which worketh by love, maintains his continency ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 v calumny concerning the.htm

Absolute Surrender
... be clearer to us, God shall have the right place, and ... Let each believe"while I, a
poor worm on earth and ... and accepts it when I bring it, but God maintains it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/absolute surrender.htm

The Being of God
... Vorstius maintains that God is in all places at once, but ... above all blessing and
praise.' Oh what a poor nothing is man, when we think of God's infiniteness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the being of god.htm

The Excuses of Sinners Condemn God
... But the plea, as in the sinner's mouth, maintains that God requires of us ... 8. But,
says another, my health is so poor that I can't go ... Well, what does God require ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/v the excuses of sinners.htm

Submit Yourselves Therefore to God. James 4:7.
... I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though ... special provision has been made,
by which God offers us ... It maintains the ill desert of sin, and requires the ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/submit yourselves therefore to god.htm

Auxentius on the Giving up of the Basilicas.
... The will of God, he maintains, cannot be frustrated, nor can His protection be overcome,
yet He is ready ... Lastly, gifts to the poor make God indebted to us ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/sermon against auxentius on the.htm

Our Lord Shows St. Teresa the Place which She had by Her Sins ...
... served therein, yet, because it was very poor, the nuns ... whole, it seemed that he
was right; he gave ... to the whole city,"being one whom God maintains there for ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxxii our lord shows.htm

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... life, [70]81; protects Eutropius, [71]247; maintains the Church's ... 48; knowledge of
the word of God essential to ... Poor, the, relish food more than the rich, [339 ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... For he maintains that the sinner can obtain forgiveness only by a sincere ... Such was
the mercy of God, that he could not leave his poor fallen creatures to ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

What does the Bible say about giving to the poor? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being poor? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Poor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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