Proverbs 29:14

How governments treat the poor greatly affects nations. Solomon gave similar warnings elsewhere (Pr 20:28; 28:16; 29:4). King Lemuel’s mother stressed it as well (Pr 31:8-9).

Your life also depends on how you treat the poor (Pr 14:21; 19:17; 21:13; 28:8,27; 29:7). Here is a simple way for God’s blessings. Are you a defender and benefactor of the poor?

God established civil rulers as one of the five spheres of authority for the benefit of those who cannot defend themselves. Individual families cannot protect themselves in a time of war, so governments raise armies to protect the whole nation. The poor do not have the means to resist or defeat rich oppressors, so governments must intervene for them.

David wrote, “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation” (Ps 68:5). Rulers that fear God and know His holy laws will defend widows and their children. Daniel warned Nebuchadnezzar he could preserve his tranquility by showing mercy to the poor (Dan 4:27). This is a rule of godly and wise political science.

The poor – widows, their children, or others – need protectors from those that might take advantage of them due to their vulnerability and weakness. Therefore, God ordained civil government and established laws for their protection (Pr 22:22-23; 23:10-11; Ex 22:22-24; Deut 27:19; Ps 12:5). This rule of wisdom is important to God and should be to you.

Nations rise and fall by their care of the poor, where the poor are those with an act of God in their lives. God has no respect for socialist theories in welfare states. Only a person rendered nearly helpless by an act of God is to receive charity, and their only needs He accepts are food, clothing, shelter, and emergency medical care. Variations become sin.

America boasts on her Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Yet, she suctions unborn children limb from limb at the rate of 3000 per day, 1.2 million per year, though they yearn to breathe free! Unborn children are truly poor, should be protected, and will surely be avenged (Ex 21:22-25).

National crimes are known by public policies, and the fall of those nations under God’s judgment will also be known. What does God think of nations shedding innocent blood? “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure” (Ps 2:4-5).

What about you? True religion is more than a church service or religious activities – it includes serving the poor and needy and living a holy life (Jas 1:27). Giving to the poor in faith to God shows eternal life (Matt 25:31-46; I Tim 6:17-19). God looks for those that do such things to bless them both now and later (Deut 15:7-10; Ps 41:1; Is 58:5-12).

Do you understand God’s priority of proper charity? The Bible plainly teaches God’s will for your care for the poor. He defines the poor; He sets the order of your care; He defines true needs. You must help the truly poor in your family first, then those in your church, then those of the true faith, and then those He puts before you in your ordinary business.

Agreeing with this proverb, Jesus Christ’s throne is established forever (Ps 45:6-7; Heb 1:8-9). He healed the poor of all diseases, blessed the poor in spirit, preached the gospel to them, converted extortioners and oppressors, taught the rich to entertain them, and had a bag of donations for desperate needs. If you have taken His name, are you like Him?