Do Christians know who is poor?

The Bible says we should care for the poor. But do Christians know who is poor? I always thought, for the most part, it was pretty obvious who was poor and who was rich. Maybe the middle is hard to determine, but the rich and the poor? I didn’t think so. Then I read something this morning. It totally blew me away. Shocking.

Take a look at the adjacent image. It’s easy to tell who’s poor and who’s rich. As we drive/walk around in different places, it’s not always so obvious. The rich people don’t always dress up. And poor people aren’t always begging.

But living near Los Angeles, driving around, it’s hard to not see all the homeless people in tents, tarp-covered spaces, and people sleeping out in the open.

Of course, the same is true of cities and even relatively small towns around the U.S., although the issue doesn’t seem to get as much publicity in more conservative areas.

Truth is, it should be hard to not see the problem. Until we remember something like Phil Collins’ song – Another Day in Paradise. Lyrics below from LyricFind

She calls out to the man on the street
“Sir, can you help me?
It’s cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep
Is there somewhere you can tell me?”

He walks on, doesn’t look back
He pretends he can’t hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh, think twice, ’cause it’s another day for you and me in paradise
Oh, think twice, ’cause it’s another day for you
You and me in paradise
Think about it

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she’s been crying
She’s got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can’t walk but she’s trying

Oh, think twice, ’cause it’s another day for you and me in paradise
Oh, think twice, it’s just another day for you
You and me in paradise
Just think about it

Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do?
Oh Lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she’s been there
Probably been moved on from every place
‘Cause she didn’t fit in there

Oh, think twice, ’cause it’s another day for you and me in paradise
Oh, think twice, it’s just another day for you
You and me in paradise

Just think about it
Mhm
Think about it

It’s just another day for you and me in paradise
It’s just another day for you and me in paradise (para-paradise)
Paradise
Ooh, just think about it
Paradise
Just think about it (para-paradise)
Paradise
Mhm, paradise
Paradise
Just another day

I guess it’s not so hard to miss. I always find it so sad and depressing. Hard to not see it.

But then, add what I just read to the reality of the words in the song, and it’s no wonder people, especially our rich leaders in this country, don’t know the extent of the poverty right under their noses. Poverty in the very people they’re supposed to represent. And, for us as Christians, the sheer numbers of people who are very poor.

Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do?

Sure, there’s more we can do. And who knows, maybe more people would actually do something if they took the time to know what’s happening around them? Here’s what I mean. I read an article in the Washington Post. The first part of the headline was:

Who is poor? A professor said her students think Americans make six figures on average.

Seriously! Students think people in America make an average of six figures! How can anyone think that? Unless … as the article continues.

The question asked by Nina Strohminger to her students at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania was straightforward: What did they think the average American makes in annual wages?

Some of the answers, however, were not what the professor of legal studies and business ethics expected from one of the country’s most prestigious business schools, she said.

“I asked Wharton students what they thought the average American worker makes per year and 25% of them thought it was over six figures,” she tweeted Wednesday. “One of them thought it was $800k.”

Strohminger, who put the real answer at about $45,000 a year, had a hard time wrapping her head around what some Wharton students believed was an average wage.

“Really not sure what to make of this,” she wrote.

I can think of one thing to make of it. Students here are totally out of touch! And I’m sure this isn’t the only University like it. And these are the kinds of places where our future leaders are coming from. No wonder they don’t have any concern for the poor in our country. They probably don’t even know there are any!

To that end, the article also says:

Strohminger’s tweet prompted reactions from experts and observers wondering whether this classroom interaction accurately reflected what future business leaders think about the state of wages in the United States.

No kidding. It’s a scary, but most likely true, statement of the reality in our country.

“People tend to believe that the typical person is closer to themselves financially than what it is in reality,” Ken Jacobs, chair of the University of California at Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education, told The Washington Post. “It is an odd notion in America that people think of $200,000 or $100,000 as a typical wage when it is quite a bit above.”

I believe this points out the problem. How can we help the poor when we don’t have a clue who is poor?

To some extent, people don’t see outside their own little “world”. They think where they exist is all there is. Everyplace else is just like their piece of the pie, so why bother looking beyond.

Or, as Phil Collins points out so eloquently, people just don’t want to see anything outside their own personal little “norm”. It’s easier. Less depressing. Takes less thought, sacrifice, care.

My other thought is this. It’s not stated in the song or the article, but I believe that too many of the people we vote into office, who we give the right to rule over us, do know the facts, and are out to take advantage of them. And to take advantage of us. Sure, we can try to be blind to all that’s around us. But when you’ve got lots of money and want even more, you have to know what’s really happening in order to know where things are going. Further, if your goal is to have more, make more, get more power, then you care more about yourself than you do about the poor.

But, that’s only half of what’s in Another Day in Paradise. Let’s keep going.

Oh Lord, there must be something you can say

The song asked God – is there nothing more anybody can do? And of course, there is. There’s plenty more people can do. But for the reasons above, and others, those additional things aren’t done.

But now we get to the question especially for those of us who claim to be Christians, where God is asked if there’s something He can say.

You know what though? God’s already said plenty. Honestly, God’s already said everything that should need to be said. The problem isn’t that God is silent. The problem is that we don’t listen. Not truly listen. We may hear the words, or read the words, but if we don’t do anything about those words, then we didn’t really listen.

If we don’t do anything with what God says, then are we truly Christian?

What do you think? If we don’t do anything with what God says, then are we truly Christian? I don’t believe in coincidences when I write. So I have to believe there’s a reason why I came across the statement below yesterday while researching something else.

As in (Matthew) 24:45–51, readiness for Jesus’ return here demands faithfulness in doing the work he has called one to do. This warning applies to all disciples, but perhaps most severely to church leaders: “A Christian leader who does not lead is damned” (Meier 1980: 300). That the householder is on a journey and will return unexpectedly may imply a possible “delay” of the parousia, although it is clearer in Luke (“far” country—Lk 19:12). “Settling accounts” again becomes a figure for the time of judgment (cf 18:23).  ¹Keener, C. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (p. 600). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

That’s going to be part of an article titled Lithium and energy independence. Will God’s creation be destroyed again? It’s part of the series Rule over the earth, which looks at God’s command to Adam and Eve in Genesis. But not just that. It also looks at various commands throughout the Bible, to God’s people, telling us to care for the poor. It’ll be done in the next few days – will put in a link when it’s published.

Let’s take a brief look at the passage in Matthew this is related to. However, for a more detailed explanation, please refer to the Lithium and energy independence article.

The Day and Hour Unknown – Matthew

Mt 24:36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

Mt 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Mt 24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

While the comment is directed to leaders, I feel like it’s broader than that. In a sense, every Christian is a “leader” or “teacher” of sorts.

You see, in the passage on the day and the hour unknown, Jesus spoke of the master and the wise servant. Obviously, Jesus is the master. Hopefully, just as obvious is the fact that we, Christians, are the servant. But notice the use of the adjective “wise”. The question is, are we wise servants, or are we the kind of servant that isn’t wise enough to see the reality of the situation and act accordingly. In other words, are we wise enough to see what God has done for us, the incredible price Jesus paid for all the things we do wrong? Then, do we truly love God for what He did to save us? And finally, is our love strong enough that we act on it and give up our own selfish desires to honor God’s commands to us? For instance, the ones related to loving each other.

Plus, remember, Jesus told us something about a light on a hill – and about salt.

Salt and Light

Mt 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Mt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

To the extent that we do cover the light that we’re supposed to bring to the world, every Christian fails to some degree when it comes to readiness for Jesus’ return here demands faithfulness in doing the work he has called one to do.

The same is true when we lose what Jesus refers to as our “saltiness”. When we lose what it is that makes us Christian. The reality of my belief is born out in Jesus’ Letter to the Church in Ephesus, in the book of Revelation. I have an entire series on the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches. The letter to the church in Ephesus is explored beginning here.

Here is the letter, so you can see the issue I’m talking about.

To the Church in Ephesus

Rev 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Rev 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

The problem in the church in Ephesus was that they lost their love. The evidence of that statement comes out in the series, which goes into the culture of the time, some history, and a look into the Biblical meaning of things Jesus mentioned, for instance, the seven golden lampstands. It’s a long series, but I believe it’s really worthwhile for us today, since it looks at the past and really brings it forward to us today.

Love one another

We generally think of love for enemies as the hardest thing for us to do in this regard. But let’s think back to Another Day in Paradise. Consider that as you read the passage below.

Love for Enemies – Matthew

Mt 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Now – consider even the first portion of the song:

She calls out to the man on the street
“Sir, can you help me?
It’s cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep
Is there somewhere you can tell me?”

He walks on, doesn’t look back
He pretends he can’t hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Is that loving? No – it’s not. The man on the street knows perfectly well what he’s doing by ignoring the woman. Don’t think so? He crosses the street and whistles! He knows. And so do we when we do that.

What can we do? We can’t “boil the ocean”, so to speak. We can’t solve the problem by ourselves. However, sometimes we can do something.

I’m going to say something here/ Not to brag about me. Rather, to give you some ideas.

I don’t often give money to people like the woman. I have, but not often. One really cold night, I do remember giving someone the money to check into a motel down the block. He wasn’t so bad off that he would have been rejected by the motel staff. Most commonly, I buy a meal. Sometimes I ask what they want. Sometimes I just get something from whatever’s near. And sometimes get something from where I’m eating.

It’s not that hard. Those of us who can afford to do it – we should. Especially if we’re Christian. We claim that God blesses us so we can bless others! So we must ask ourselves, how are we blessing others? Yes, we donate to food banks and meal programs. But there’s something about the personal touch. And let me tell you something else. That personal touch – it’s very hard for me. I can write. I seem to be able to lead classes and small groups. But the one-on-one stuff? It’s very difficult for me. Has been all my life. But then, if we take the time to remember, Jesus dying on the cross for us wasn’t easy for Him. In fact, it was far more difficult than anything we’ll ever go through.

Blessed are the poor – but who is poor?

Ah yes. Blessed are the poor. It’s from The Beatitudes. Matthew has it in one context. Luke in a different context. IN fact, the NIV titles Luke’s as Blessings and Woes. I have a series on Matthew’s telling of The Beatitudes if you’d like to check out the whole thing in more detail. For today though, here are the two verses – one from Matthew and one from Luke.

Matthew’s recording of Blessed are the poor

The Beatitudes – Matthew

5:3-12 pp — Lk 6:20-23

Mt 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:
Mt 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke’s recording of Blessed are the poor

Blessings and Woes

6:20-23 pp — Mt 5:3-12

Lk 6:17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all

Lk 6:20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.

What’s the difference between the two “blessed are the poor” statements?

First – some will say this was the same event. Also that Luke interpreted it differently. That leads to our ability to decide for ourselves the validity – or not – of either or both of their “versions” of the event.

However, that view ignores something. Matthew says it took place on a mountainside. Luke that it was on a level place. Was it a level place on the side of a mountain? Some like that approach, because it also gives us the ability to read things into what Jesus said, based on two very different recordings of that allegedly single event.

However, again, there’s another possibility. A possibility that negates the need to decide whether or not it was a single event or two different events. Consider that Jesus was an “itinerant preacher” of sorts. The idea that Jesus never repeated Himself as He traveled and spoke to different crowds but never repeated Himself is incredulous. As is the idea that when Jesus did repeat Himself it would be word for word.

Jesus said things with the people present in mind when He spoke. He used examples they would understand. He addressed the issues that they faced. Jesus gave custom talks based on who He was speaking to. Therefore, two different versions of a core concept are well within reason.

Furthermore, The two authors had different backgrounds. And they wrote for different audiences. Matthew was Jewish. e focused on the things that were of interest to Jews. Their faith. Or their lack of faith. The Jewish law. What Jesus said that was different from what the Pharisees and teachers of the law Said. Things like that.

On the other hand, Luke was a doctor. Very much grounded in a different “world” than Matthew. Luke didn’t have the Jewish background, and therefore focusing on different things is natural.

What we have then, in this scenario, the most likely scenario in my belief, is this.

There is real meaning to what both men recorded. One is grounded in the Jewish faith. One isn’t. But both apply to people in general. Here’s why I say that. It’s going to be brief. After all, this isn’t an in-depth look at these verses. It’s using these verses to show something about how Christians should deal with the reality of poor people.

Luke wrote, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God”. It’s not written for someone who is religious already. Rather, it speaks to the person who is poor and knows little to nothing of God. But at the same time, it tells them that the Kingdom of God is available to them. It’s what we’d call a “hook” today. An opening. A conversation starter. A way to maybe get them to ask about the Kingdom of God. Maybe about how it’s available to them.

Matthew wrote, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. This is also a conversation starter. This is a statement that might get a Jewish person to ask, how can the Kingdom of Heaven possibly be available to someone like me? After all, that’s probably very different, maybe even totally opposite, of what they heard from the Jewish leaders.

What does it mean for us today? Well, the Christian versus non-Christian status of people today very much lines up with the Jewish/non-Jewish status back in Jesus’ day. So yes, there’s an element of evangelism in there.

But there’s something else, I believe. Take the two “versions” and put them together. When we, as Christians, learn more about what Matthew recorded about being poor in spirit – and look at what Luke wrote about being poor – we get an incredible statement of how Christians should treat poor people. Why? Because there’s something about those poor people, that Jesus declared. Jesus told them, and us since we’re reading His words to His followers: yours is the kingdom of God!

Question. How often do we look at poor people and even consider the fact that Jesus told them, yours is the kingdom of God?

Do Christians know who is poor? And even then, do we live as Christians when it comes to poor people?

Another Day in Paradise says – Oh Lord, there must be something you can say. I believe I was correct to say the problem isn’t that God hasn’t said enough. The problem is that we don’t listen.

To that end, I know I haven’t presented everything God said on the subject of poor people. But I pray I’ve included enough of what He said to reach your hearts.

I also know I have a ways to go too. I don’t exclude myself from anything I’ve written. So I just ask you to prayerfully join me in trying to do better for people that God Himself told – yours is the kingdom of God.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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Footnotes

• 1
  Keener, C. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (p. 600). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.