Topical Bible: The Poor: Guilt of Defrauding

◄ The Poor: Guilt of Defrauding ►

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The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness, particularly in the treatment of the poor and vulnerable. Defrauding the poor is a grievous sin that incurs guilt and divine disapproval. Scripture provides numerous warnings and teachings regarding the ethical treatment of the impoverished, underscoring the moral responsibility to act justly and compassionately.

Biblical Injunctions Against Defrauding the Poor

The Mosaic Law contains explicit commands against exploiting the poor. In Leviticus 19:13, the Israelites are instructed, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker must not remain with you until morning." This command underscores the importance of fair and timely compensation, reflecting God's concern for the dignity and well-being of the laborer.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 further elaborates on this principle: "Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them; otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin." Here, the immediacy of payment is emphasized, recognizing the daily dependence of the poor on their earnings.

Prophetic Condemnations

The prophets of Israel frequently denounced the exploitation of the poor, highlighting the societal and spiritual consequences of such actions. In Isaiah 10:1-2, the prophet declares, "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless." This passage illustrates the systemic nature of injustice and the divine judgment that follows.

Similarly, Amos 8:4-6 warns, "Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, asking, 'When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat?'... skimping the measure, boosting the price, and cheating with dishonest scales." The prophet condemns those who exploit religious observances for personal gain, highlighting the moral decay associated with defrauding the poor.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible also addresses the issue of defrauding the poor. Proverbs 22:22-23 advises, "Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them." This passage reinforces the idea that God Himself is the defender of the poor and will enact justice on their behalf.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles continue to affirm the importance of justice for the poor. James 5:1-6 offers a stern warning to the wealthy who exploit their workers: "Look, the wages you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." This passage echoes the Old Testament prophets, emphasizing that God hears the cries of the oppressed and will hold the oppressors accountable.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays defrauding the poor as a serious offense against God's justice and righteousness. The guilt associated with such actions is not only a matter of legal or social concern but also a spiritual issue that demands repentance and restitution. The Scriptures call believers to uphold the dignity and rights of the poor, reflecting God's own heart for justice and mercy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 5:4
Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, cries: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Eighth Commandment
... stolen has nothing to say to the guilt of the ... people to pieces, and grind the faces
of the poor? ... your cheap prices made possible by defrauding your customers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/eighth commandment.htm

Paul's Longing
... is either praise or criticism of my poor words and ... torture; the same experience of
the same guilt, and, blessed ... he is my creditor, and I am defrauding him of ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/pauls longing.htm

The Use of Money
... Such are all that necessarily imply our robbing or defrauding the king of his ... 5.
And are not they partakers of the same guilt, though in a lower ... Poor wretch! ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... There is a poor, dry, wrinkled kernel cast into the ground, and there it ... at the
remembrance and confession of sin, be filled with the guilt, confusion, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... hand withered that is without, [2429]480; guilt of giving ... 508, [3165]509; in that
day the poor man will ... Oppression, deeds of, and of defrauding so great that ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... of life, restitution for cozening, cheating, defrauding, beguiling thy ... a liberal
hand to the poor, and their ... eye, when severed from the guilt and punishment ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... The author's object is to warn poor thoughtless sinners, not with smooth words,
to which they would take no heed; but to thunder upon their consciences the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm