In my recent study of the book of Proverbs, I came across several scriptures concerning the poor and our attitudes towards them:
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.
We use the term “poor” mostly to describe a financial condition, e.g., someone growing up in a poor neighborhood vs. a rich one. Probably the second way we generally use the term is when we are speaking of health, as in someone being in poor health vs. good health. But the word can have many applications.
The word “poor” in Proverbs 14:31 comes from a word that means weak or thin, lean, needy, poor (man) weaker. When you think of this definition, then you can see how it can have a broader application. A person can be “poor” (lean, needy, weaker) spiritually, emotionally, or morally. They can be “lean” from a maturity perspective. They can be “lean” from a generosity perspective.
They can be “lean” from a patience perspective, i.e., they want what they want right now and refuse to wait for the right time. They may be “lean” from an anger perspective, i.e., they may have a short temper and get angry easily. They may be “lean” when it comes to keeping their mouths shut; they have a tendency to talk too much, or say the wrong thing at the wrong time. They can be “lean” from an “agape love” perspective, i.e., expressing a sacrificial, non-selfish love towards others.
So there are many ways people can be poor. And if that’s the case, then these scriptures apply and provide instructions to all of us, not just folks we label as “rich” financially. These scriptures really speak to what we say to each other, how we think of others and our attitudes towards them, and finally how we treat others (our words, thoughts and actions). And when you think about it, it all wraps around having an attitude of humility.
Now by humility we’re talking about being courteous, respectful, and not being proud, arrogant or having a feeling of superiority. Unfortunately this really goes against the thinking and attitudes of our culture, even in many churches. We lose perspective of Proverbs 22:2, that God is the maker of us all. We have adapted an “us vs. them” view of life and don’t even entertain the most important question for them: “Do they know Jesus?” And even more importantly for us: “Does Jesus know me?”
This last question is in reference to Matthew 7:13, 21 – 23. As Christians its so easy to go through Christian-like activities and say Christian-like things and take a Christian stance against a society that daily falls deeper away from Biblical teaching, and think we’re doing good. But Jesus’ declaration in verse 23 should really cause us to perform an honest, heartfelt self-evaluation. The word “knew” comes from a word that means to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance). The same word is used when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26-34). She replies in Luke 1:34, “…How will this be since I do not know a man?”, referring to sexual intimacy.
Can Jesus say that you and He have first-hand experience with each other? Can He say that you and He have a close personal relationship with each other? That you walk with each other throughout the day, and you and He converse throughout the day? Or do you just “date” Jesus on Sunday’s and maybe a Wednesday or two, and just call Him when you want something? If you’re into “dating” Jesus, then you’ve entered through the “wide gate” in Matthew 7:13.
Once you develop a close relationship with Christ that grows daily, your life changes. The relationship changes how you think, how you talk, what you do, and what you don’t do. It changes how to think of and treat other people. It shifts your priorities from the superficial transitory ones of the world, to ones that are of an eternal significance.
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus clearly declares the top two commandments, love God and love your neighbor. Jesus even clarifies who is the lawyer’s neighbor. The word “love” is not just referring to a feeling. In this passage, it is agapaó:
to love; for the believer, preferring to “live through Christ” (1 Jn 4:9,10), i.e. embracing God’s will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power. 25 (agapáō) preeminently refers to what God prefers as He “is love” (1 Jn 4:8,16). See 26 (agapē).
This takes “love” to a whole other level.
Now, when you think about, talk to and interact with others, remember that God is the maker of us all. It may be difficult at times, but Jesus already told us, “…for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.“
100 Days To A Better Life Through Proverbs 
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