The rights of the poor...

“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” (Proverbs 29:7)

For a man to give provision to the poor (those in need) in high up on God’s agenda when it comes to “good works” when done with the right spirit. Obviously much of that kind of open sacrifice is displayed throughout the world for all to see and is so acknowledged by many while society places them on very high pedestals. However this type of offering is what is known as a “dead work” and has very little effect on getting God’s attention. As Christians we have been called out from such reasoning; “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God…” (Hebrews 6:1)

In other words the writer of Hebrews now instructs his readers and by implication informs us that we must repent from this type of reasoning. The Lord Jesus confirms this for us and explains why; “"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”” (Matthew 6:1-4)

Now think of the motion of a pendulum how it swings within its arc; let us not now “throw the baby out with the bath water” and withhold our hand from the needy. Although there are those that give to be seen as “do-gooders” we must still understand God’s heart in the matter and act accordingly because with the correct application comes great blessing not only for the needy but for the giver. In fact when we understand, this verse rings very true to our ear, as we make it our own; “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"(Act 20:35) – this verse obviously implies a lot more than the giving of food and raiment, our time and our lives are most certainly in question, but because we are naturally selfish we tend to excuse ourselves… which looks something like this; “it is better to give of my time and my prayers”. The Apostle James has this to say; “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15-17) 

Now our minds conclude if that be the case then we must feed fellow believers where and when needed, which is obviously true, but it does not exclude our participation with those outside! “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” (Proverbs 21:13)

Having said that we must still be cautious no to be caught up with dead works and find a healthy balance of less of self and more for others…

(Joe 2:13) “Rend your heart, and not your garments.”

“GARMENT-RENDING and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common. Men will attend to the most multiplied and minute ceremonial regulations-for such things are pleasing to the flesh-but true religion is too humbling, too heart-searching, too thorough for the tastes of the carnal men; they prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. Outward observances are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self-righteousness is puffed up: but they are ultimately delusive, for in the article of death, and at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than ceremonies and rituals to lean upon. Apart from vital godliness all religion is utterly vain; offered without a sincere heart, every form of worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of heaven.

HEART-RENDING is divinely wrought and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form, but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of and believed in, but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating, and completely sin-purging; but then it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled spirits are unable to receive; and it is distinctly discriminating, for it belongs to the elect of God, and to them alone.

The text commands us to rend our hearts, but they are naturally hard as marble: how, then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary: a dying Saviour’s voice rent the rocks once, and it is as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us hear the death-cries of Jesus, and our hearts shall be rent even as men rend their vestures in the day of lamentation.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

Some other verse to back up this thought…

“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” (Proverbs 14:21)

“The poor person pleads for mercy, but the wealthy man responds harshly.” (Proverbs 18:23) (ISV) 

“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” (Proverbs 28:27) 

Signing off

Tyrone