"Calamities and the Poor"
Daniel Valles

READ Proverbs 17:5

"Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished."  One of the great dangers that lies in hindsight upon events such as Hurricane Katrina (or other disasters) is to get the smug impression that they deserved what they received, and because of that we can be puffed up and look down our noses at those involved.  Granted, events may be for judgment.  Several times in the Bible, examples are given of nations judged for their sin.  Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities of the plains were judged for their sin.  But, the Bible states that it is not to be cause for a morbid celebration or to get a pumped-up attitudes of righteous superiority.  In Luke 13:4-5 Jesus recalled a recent disaster (at that time), and commented on the response.  "Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."  Disasters and calamities may have earmarks of judgment, or none at all, but we are to remember that we are nobody special.  In a sense, we deserve it as much as others.  In the weeks after Katrina, we have looked at how God is angry with the wicked, and does punish sin, especially gross immorality.  He shows mercy and longsuffering, but He is still Just.  I have watched several articles from the secular arena who are shocked by the sheer volume of articles that blast New Orleans for its wickedness, and directly attribute the hurricane to God's judgment on the city.  In one sense they are right.  There is an air of self-righteous smugness that can arise from such labels.  We have covered that perspective as well.  However, our attitude and reaction should not be "glad at calamities", but a soberness.  Jonah set up a shaded spot where he would sit and watch the city of Ninevah get blasted.  His morbid curiosity was eager for the city to be erased from this world.  Yet, God rebuked him for that attitude and showed His mercy toward the people that repented (Jonah 4:11).

That brings up the other point: the poor.  When God questioned Jonah, He mentioned that the people in the city "cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"  Most of the city was not what we might consider those with "higher education."  Many of them were simple.  For a city as big as Ninevah was (Jonah 3:3-4), it probably had many 'poor' sections of town, lower-income areas, or 'ghettos' as they are are referred to today.  Yet, God desired to show them mercy.  As Christians today, our attitude and response to the poor is very important.  It is interesting that the Psalmist included both the poor and calamities in the same verse.  Oftentimes, it is the poor who suffer the most during calamities.  I have done a lot of reading about the hurricane, and its effect on New Orleans, and the poverty there.  Many people who have commented have made disparaging remarks regarding the poor of that city.  There is a huge difference between being poor and being what the Bible calls 'slothful'.  Yes, there is much to be said for the effects of welfare, and there are many whose work ethics (and ethics in general) can be attributed to welfare systems.  However, there are still many people who are hard working individuals, who just go through hard times.  With our current economic situation, it it understandable that many have jobs that are not paying enough.  We will get to that later.

Proverbs 14:31 says, "He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor."  As Christians, we should not be quick to lump people together and to look down on them just because of their economic status.  There will always be 'poor' people.  Chances are, I would be considered 'poor' compared to some of you.  Many times it is in the eye of the beholder.  What is our attitude toward the poor, the destitute, the desolate, the refugee?  Psalm 72:12-13 says, "For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.  He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy."  Do we as Christians have a heart of compassion?  Do we have a 'respect of persons' which the Bible warns against?  Do we refrain from helping people because they are not in the same bracket as us, or because they come from the 'ghettos'?  Does our church look down their nose on the family who comes in dressed in clothes from the local mission?  Folks, I've lived in the inner-cities of Philadelphia and New York.  You want to see people that most churches would rather avoid?  I lived there.  However, to the glory of God, many of them made better and more zealous Christians than I see in many opulent churches.  Christ does not look at one's wallet, He looks at their heart and relationship to Him.  Christians today have it backwards.  We have churches so large that honest, one-on-one fellowship with the family of God is rare.  Clothing, appearances, and performance has become the judge that people go by.  When you stop dealing with people, you stop caring for people.

Who should we help?  This next section is for the naysayers who lump the welfare crowd and the poor together.  Many people see the damage that was done in New Orleans as 'improvements' getting out the 'rip-raff'.  In some ways, from an economic and city-planning point of view, that is correct.  However, that relegates the people to the level of garbage.  The best way to 'clean up' a city area is to clean the hearts first.  Get vibrant, effective churches planted, witnessing and evangelizing - that will change the people.  Changed people will change ethics as well.  As I said before, I have seen effective inner-city church work change lives that city planning boards had given up on.  Druggies, prostitutes, murderers, thieves, gang members, spousal abusers, and much worse had their lives changed for the glory of God!  Some of them have made the best deacons and church planters that I have seen.

So, who should we help?  Does this mean that we are obligated to give a quarter to every homeless person, and give money to every Katrina victim?  No.  First of all, money is a gift that is too easy to abuse.  Food, temporary work, shelter - these can be given.  Around my area, there a dozens of hitchhikers and train hobos always asking for a handout.  To give your money to an individual who sits beneath the bridge all day smoking cigarettes and drinking beer is not good stewardship.  Giving them a warm meal, sharing the Gospel, and providing clothing and work will help them, and be better stewardship.  The Bible has much to say about individuals who beg for handouts but do not want to work.  While there are many families on welfare that work hard, there are many along for the ride, and expect something for nothing.  Proverbs 10:4-5  "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.  He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame."  2 Thessalonians 3:10 reminds us of the famous adage, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." 

Proverbs 24:30-32 remarks, "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."

Proverbs 18:9 "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster."  Slothful equals poor, but poor does not equal slothful.  Luke 21:2-3  "And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all"  There are many Christians and unsaved (widows, fatherless, single parents, etc.) who are destitute and poor.  That should not label them in our mind as being lazy or slothful.

Galatians 2:10 "Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do."  As Christians, we have a duty and obligation to care for the poor - those who cannot or struggle to help themselves.  1 Timothy 5:16 "If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed."  There are many who have the means, and support, to subsist.  However, many can be shown the love of Christ by our actions.  Do not let the world's stereotypes of the poor cloud your compassion.  Do not rejoice when calamities come - but take note.  Jesus Christ was the poor of the poor.  He had no qualms about going to the inner-city neighborhoods and showing compassion and love to those the world had turned their back on.  What about you?  What about your church?  I know of one large church right near me who made the decision not to have a bus ministry just because it would bring in children from the lower-income areas, and they might damage their nice, pretty buildings.

If Jesus Christ came to reach the poor, cannot we?  If God was willing to show mercy even to Nineveh, cannot we?  If God was willing to save me, cannot I have compassion on the poor?

James 2:5 "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"