Honor The Poor

"For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”3

Some say “the poor we will have with us always,” as if Jesus is saying it is more important to serve Him than help the poor. But when Martha who was serving Jesus became distracted, worrying about what Mary was doing, Jesus said Mary was doing the good part. While serving is good the good or better part is abiding in Jesus. Also people use this as an excuse to not help the poor all together, saying “the poor we will have with us always,” but when Jesus said, “you do not always have me,” He speaks of something greater. The poor they would always have but He would not always be with them.

“How can the attendants of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast."2

John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” Of course why would they need to fast or pray when they were with the bridegroom, with the Lord of the Sabbath? So we see when Jesus said “the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me,” He spoke of something greater. Mary also was anointing Him for his burial.

"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it."4

Having prosperous ease is being comfortable which speaks of trusting in riches. I believe not helping the poor is a sign of this, of being poor, in a spiritual sense. The scriptures say haughty eyes are an abomination to the Lord.Proverbs 6:16 This word for haughty is exalt, which is a form of the pride of Satan. The opposite of a "servant of all" is one who is haughty, exalting themselves, not humble but lording, domineering over the flock. These lord over others in the name of serving? Surely in Israel it was seen in how they oppressed the poor. Judas was indignant at the expensive ointment Mary anointed Jesus with, saying it could be used to help the poor, but thieves do not care about the poor.

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31

"But you have dishonored the poor man..."6 Martha was literally serving Jesus, but she was distracted, possibly we do too? yes, we serve and tithe but neglect the greater things like abiding in the words of Christ. Many people find wisdom and prudence in the Proverbs so here are a few more verses about helping the poor. “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”Proverbs 22:9 “Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”Proverbs 28:27 A noble woman helps the poor, “She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:20...

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