Over and over in the Old Testament, we read about three groups of people whom God goes out of the way for - the righteous, the abandoned (widows/ orphans/ foreigners), and the poor. Shall we read a little about God's heart for the poor, and pray for them?
Bible passage:
The Rich man and Lazarus - parts of Luke 16:19-25 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side... Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
God's love and care for the poor: Proverbs 14:31 - Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. Proverbs 22:22, 23 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? Isaiah 61:1a The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
Command to help the poor: Deuteronomy 15:11 - For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Matt 25:35,40 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me... And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Have you noticed that in the first story only Abraham, and Lazarus are named and that the rich man isn't? Though that's not the point of the parable, I think it is an interesting detail. God knew the homeless Lazarus by name. God noticed and remembers that Lazarus was covered with sores. He even noticed that there were times when dogs licked his sores. We live in a world that typically doesn't give the homeless person one caring look or touch, but our God values and gives dignity to every person that He has created. He truly knows the homeless by name. He hears their cry. He sees their need and is truly delighted when someone reaches out to help them. He goes out to preach the good news to them. He takes their oppression as an insult to Himself.
I don't know the names of any homeless persons around me. Even as I write, I don't have the confidence that I am going to stop and ask their name or smile at them the next time I give them some money. The pragmatic side of me is already giving me umpteen reasons and challenges (it's not practical, it might be risky at times, some of them are lazy, some exploit little children, they drink away their money, they are lazy and don't get employed...). But none of those reasons justify me not asking their name, asking them how they are, or shaking their hands. Last year a friend of mine mentioned that at times (a few decades ago) they used to see dead babies near running waters after a rainy day. The poorly constructed mud houses that many poor people used to live in couldn't withstand flowing waters, and the running waters would at times carry away some of their children. Shall we who live in concrete houses pray for those around us who might not have homes or other basic necessities?
Prayer points:
Pray that the homeless among you may find a place to stay, means of sustenance, and healthcare.
Pray that they would be rid of some of the sinful practices that are prevalent among them and that they move away from those addictions to healthy and moral living.
Pray that the church would pursue them and give appropriate and continual care for them the way Jesus Christ would want us to, lifting them up and revealing to them the heart of God.
Pray that they would become aware of the Government policies that are beneficial to them and that these schemes reach them and give them better living opportunities.
If you can, try memorizing Deut 15:11.
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