The Christian's compassion on the poor

[Somerset]

In the Bible's descriptions of a righteous man, it is a recurring theme that he has compassion on the poor and needy ([KJV]Psalm 41:1[/KJV], [KJV]Prov. 19:17[/KJV], [KJV]Prov. 28:27[/KJV]). I am reading the Psalms now and running into the theme a lot. Practically, what does this look like for the Christian?

I think a big question we have to ask in this day, especially for those of us in the United States, is, who exactly are the poor? Now I will readily admit that I haven't studied out the verses Austin shared above, but I have my doubts that the "poor" in that context are equal to the those so called "poor" in the U.S. today.

In Ethiopia the poor are always skinny because they cannot afford food. If I can touch the tip of my thumb and my middle finger around a person's mid-upper arm, he or she is poor. In the States the "poor" are overweight because they cannot afford Jenny Craig weight loss program or a weight-watcher's diet. There is a big difference.

So now you are the arbiter of what constitutes "poor". Only the poorest of people in the most third world of countries are deserving of compassion.

I suppose helping those in Ethiopia is much more gratifying than helping Americans whom you deem as less deserving.

What else are you able to rationalize?

Rather strong words brother. The lady is at the sharp end of poverty and I think her input is of particular value, as was Pergs.

 

[Somerset]

p.s. I work with indigenous evangelists sent out from poor indigenous churches (i.e. where people come to church barefoot and where you sit on the floor). When I ship goods into my village the evangelists ask me for the cardboard boxes. Why? So they have something softer to sleep on in their huts.

A very humbling post. I had a cardboard collection at the shop on Monday. I carried it all downstairs on Saturday evening, which was hot. I was grumbling to myself about the heat and akwardness of the bigger pieces. Next time I will try to be grateful that I sell enough stuff, thus make enough money, to have a mountain of cardboard every few months.

 

[Reformed Reaction]

In the Bible's descriptions of a righteous man, it is a recurring theme that he has compassion on the poor and needy ([KJV]Psalm 41:1[/KJV], [KJV]Prov. 19:17[/KJV], [KJV]Prov. 28:27[/KJV]). I am reading the Psalms now and running into the theme a lot. Practically, what does this look like for the Christian?

I think a big question we have to ask in this day, especially for those of us in the United States, is, who exactly are the poor? Now I will readily admit that I haven't studied out the verses Austin shared above, but I have my doubts that the "poor" in that context are equal to the those so called "poor" in the U.S. today.

In Ethiopia the poor are always skinny because they cannot afford food. If I can touch the tip of my thumb and my middle finger around a person's mid-upper arm, he or she is poor. In the States the "poor" are overweight because they cannot afford Jenny Craig weight loss program or a weight-watcher's diet. There is a big difference.

So now you are the arbiter of what constitutes "poor". Only the poorest of people in the most third world of countries are deserving of compassion.

I suppose helping those in Ethiopia is much more gratifying than helping Americans whom you deem as less deserving.

What else are you able to rationalize?

Rather strong words brother. The lady is at the sharp end of poverty and I think her input is of particular value, as was Pergs.

My apologies.