Jump Start # 309

Proverbs 15:31 “He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.” 

  Once again we find the principle of how we treat others affects our relationship with God. Jesus said that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. Peter said, if a husband does not honor his wife, his prayers will be hindered. You can’t be wrong with others and right with God. God sees. God knows.

  Our Proverb passage addresses the way one treats a poor person. A poor person is poor. Sometimes he is poor because of circumstances beyond his control. Other times, he has just not managed his finances well. The poor man may not have had the opportunities others have had. 

  The poor man is on the end of receiving things. He doesn’t have so he can’t give to others. The poor man can do little to advance or help the person who has. The reason a person of substance would help a poor man is because of the kindness of his heart. 

  The writer of our verse presents two situations involving a poor person. In the first circumstance, the poor man is oppressed. His situation is made worse. He is taken advantage of. He may have been cheated by the person of wealth. Could it be that he has worked honesty and fairly but when it came time to receive his wages he was “oppressed.” In the story that the prophet Nathan told king David, a wealthy shepherd took the only lamb that his poor neighbor had. He oppressed him. In doing this, our writer tells us, it taunts God. The poor man has a Maker as does the rich man. They have the SAME maker, and it is God. Taunting is making fun of, challenging, even bullying. Who would dare try that with God? There is no getting away with it. God car release His wrath and annihilate the bully. You can’t fool God, mock God, or get away with things from God. Mistreating the poor is mistreating God. The poor man has God on His side.

  The second situation is just the opposite. Some who is gracious to the poor honors God. Now the gracious person often doesn’t have that principle in mind, he just wants to help out someone else. He has a kind and generous heart and he feels for the person who is having a hard time. He knows you can’t ignore them. They don’t need a lecture. They need help. So he does what he can. Much like the good Samaritan in Jesus’ story. He took care of a man that was injured and robbed. He was gracious to him. In so doing, a person honors God. This is what God likes. This is demonstrating the characteristics of God—selfless, kind, generous, loving, helpful. All the things that God has been to us.

  For some reason, the Christmas season brings out the generous nature of people. They give more to charities. Stories of the “secret Santas” abound. But this time of the year, we tend to be less generous. Times are tough we say. Money is tight. And such it is. The poor man has needs too.

  I wonder if neglect and ignoring are forms of oppression? Two ways to deal with the poor—be gracious or to oppress. Help or take advantage of. Honor God or taunt God. We know which is the right way. We don’t need to be convinced of that, only reminded. Sometimes we forget. Sometimes we get too obsessed with self. Open your eyes and see what you can do.

  God knows and it will bring a smile to His face.

Roger