Topical Bible: The Poor: God: Provides For

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The Bible consistently reveals God's deep concern and provision for the poor, emphasizing His role as a provider and protector for those in need. Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His compassion and commitment to ensuring that the needs of the poor are met, both through divine intervention and through the actions of His people.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's provision for the poor is woven into the fabric of Israelite society through laws and commandments. The Mosaic Law includes numerous provisions to protect and provide for the poor. For instance, Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This command ensures that the poor have access to food and sustenance.

The Year of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, further underscores God's provision for the poor. Every fiftieth year, debts were to be forgiven, and land returned to its original owners, preventing the permanent impoverishment of individuals and families. This system reflects God's desire for economic justice and care for the marginalized.

God's Heart for the Poor

The Psalms frequently highlight God's concern for the poor. Psalm 68:5-6 declares, "A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in His holy habitation. God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land." Here, God is portrayed as a protector and provider, ensuring that the vulnerable are cared for.

Proverbs also speaks to God's provision for the poor, emphasizing the blessings that come from generosity. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse suggests that God Himself will reward those who care for the poor, reinforcing His commitment to their well-being.

Prophetic Voices

The prophets echo God's concern for the poor, often calling out Israel's failure to uphold justice and care for the needy. Isaiah 58:6-7 challenges the people, "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" This passage underscores the importance of active compassion and justice as expressions of true worship.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus embodies God's provision for the poor. His ministry is marked by compassion and care for the marginalized. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." Jesus' mission includes a special focus on the poor, fulfilling the prophetic vision of God's care.

The early church continued this mission, as seen in Acts 4:34-35, where believers shared their possessions so that "there were no needy ones among them." This communal care reflects the heart of God and His provision through the body of Christ.

Divine Assurance

Throughout Scripture, God assures the poor of His provision and care. In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about their needs, saying, "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This promise highlights God's faithfulness to provide for those who trust in Him.

In summary, the Bible presents a consistent message of God's provision for the poor, calling His people to reflect His heart through acts of justice, mercy, and generosity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 68:10
Your congregation has dwelled therein: you, O God, have prepared of your goodness for the poor.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 146:7
Which executes judgment for the oppressed: which gives food to the hungry. The LORD looses the prisoners:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ten Years in a Sick Bed, yet Praising God.
... soul is full of the love of God, full of gladness, and she is poor. Like Elijah
at the brook of Cherith, she is just fed by the Almighty; God provides for all ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/ten years in a sick.htm

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
... Believe that God has heard thee, and thou art heard. Take the good thy God provides
thee: take it to thyself boldly, and fear not. ... "This poor man cried." This ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a poor mans cry and.htm

Jehovah-Jireh
... All outward wants are poor compared with that ... of all, the spotless sacrifice which
alone avails for the world's sins"these are the things which God provides. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/jehovah-jireh.htm

God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Natural; the God of ...
... as, failing to be natural, it neither provides from the ... to death for tasting the
fruit of one poor tree, [2595 ... And all this your better god either is ignorant of ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxii gods attribute of goodness.htm

The Gifts to the Flock
... life, and walk in its light, when temptation rings us round, how poor all the ... active
life of practical obedience in the field of work which God provides for us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gifts to the flock.htm

The Lord's Prayer
... all His mercies to us; He might have made us, instead of this man, poor and in ... We
saw in the explanation of the Our Father how God provides us with all we need ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/the lords prayer.htm

The Providence of God
... very poor; and now, being warned of the angel to go into Egypt, Matthew 2:13, she
had scarce enough to bear her charges thither; but see how God provides for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

All Saints' Day
... free and unhindered, now and for ever, like that of the poor Saints ... purity is much
to be praised, because it ever provides an open pathway to God; for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxv all saints day.htm

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ...
... is that confidence which is put in men, and how wretched that poor man that ... But what
does this mean, "God provides?" It means that the will of the omnipotent ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/xi surely goodness and mercy.htm

Christian Conversation
... garments as other men wear; they may be rich or they may be poor; but, still ... them
their meat in due season." We ought often to speak of how God provides for his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/christian conversation.htm