Topical Bible: The Poor: The Wicked: Despise the Counsel of

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In the biblical narrative, the poor are often depicted as individuals who, despite their material lack, possess a unique understanding and reliance on God. The Scriptures frequently highlight the tension between the poor and the wicked, particularly in how the wicked respond to the counsel and wisdom that the poor may offer.

The Bible presents the poor as having a special place in God's heart, often being recipients of His justice and care. In contrast, the wicked are characterized by their arrogance and self-reliance, often dismissing the wisdom that comes from those who are materially disadvantaged. This dynamic is evident in several passages throughout the Scriptures.

One of the key verses illustrating this theme is found in Proverbs 14:21, which states, "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor." This verse underscores the moral failing of those who look down upon or ignore the poor, equating such disdain with sin. The wicked, in their pride, often reject the counsel of the poor, failing to recognize the value and insight that can come from those who live in humble circumstances.

The Psalms also reflect this theme, as seen in Psalm 10:2, "In arrogance the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise." Here, the wicked are portrayed as oppressors who not only ignore the counsel of the poor but actively seek to exploit them. Their arrogance blinds them to the wisdom that can be found in the lives of those who depend on God for their sustenance and protection.

In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings further emphasize the value of the poor and the folly of the wicked who disregard them. In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This statement elevates the status of the poor, suggesting that their reliance on God grants them access to divine wisdom and blessing, which the wicked, in their self-sufficiency, fail to appreciate.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the dynamic between the poor and the wicked in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, he writes, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are." This passage highlights God's preference for using the humble and lowly, including the poor, to confound the proud and self-reliant.

Throughout Scripture, the wicked's disdain for the counsel of the poor is depicted as a manifestation of their broader rejection of God's wisdom. The poor, often seen as vessels of divine insight due to their dependence on God, stand in stark contrast to the wicked, who trust in their own understanding and resources. This biblical theme serves as a reminder of the value of humility and the dangers of pride, urging believers to seek wisdom from all sources, regardless of social or economic status.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 14:6
You have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

If You Wish Me to Keep Silence, Cease from Accusing Me. Lay Down ...
... Wisdom to folly; for I hope if you despise the words ... the evil mouth, keep far from
thee the wicked lips, the ... [3227] He who oppresseth the poor reproacheth his ...
/.../43 if you wish me.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... For what can an handful of poor
people do in ... you can stand with boldness before them that despise you, and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... The overthrow of the wicked is set in striking contrast with their ... A foolish world
set on wealth may despise, but its contempt breaks ... Self-conceit is poor diet ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the many-sided contrast of wisdom.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 19-22
... a certain maid-servant united to a wicked man, a ... I have said, that we may not despise
adjurations, especially ... But now poor men, who have lost their feet, sit ...
/.../homily xi 1 thessalonians v.htm

1 Timothy iii. 10-Aug
... How long is one poor? ... the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the
other ... To such honor the most wicked, corrupt, and base of men may attain; all ...
/.../homily xi 1 timothy iii.htm

John xi. 49, 50
... to this matter, and know not how to despise one man's ... any one ask why He put the
bag of the poor in the ... aware of it, stopping the way to his wicked desire, and ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxv john xi 49.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 15, "And He Said unto Them ...
... the name of Paul?" [3397] Judge then, how wicked are those ... Let it then despise these
goods, and be herself good ... regard to the wants [3406] of the poor; He did ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvii on the words.htm

On Admonition and Repentance.
... lovest to be angry, be angry with the wicked and it ... he that fears God; no one is
truly poor but he ... doctrine) have I written to thee; see thou despise not their ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on admonition and repentance.htm

Psalm CXX.
... begin to wish to ascend, to wish to despise earthly, fragile ... his substance, and
distribute it among the poor, and to ... where I shall live with no wicked person; I ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxx.htm

The Conversion of Zaccheus
... to do it, God forbid that I should despise the poor ... I only pray, that the poor who
attend, may be ... What if wicked men may sometimes have laughter amongst them? ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the conversion of zaccheus.htm