Proverbs 21:13

"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard." (Proverbs 21:13 KJV)

Yeshua said we would always have the poor with us (Matthew 26:11). Much to the chagrin of the elite and those more concerned with preserving an image than in having compassion, they just won't go away. Whether it's seeing a television ad from a charitable organization, reading the world news headlines or even driving into a particular area- maybe on the other side of town, the reminders are constant. We have choices in how we deal with the plight of the poor. Are they annoyances who we wish would just go away? Are they making a bad impression on tourists and visitors? Are we concerned they are perhaps lowering property values?

Standing in line, marking time,
Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't find a job.
A man in a silk suit hurries by
As he catches the poor old lady's eye.
Just for fun he says, "Get a job."

(lyrics from "The Way It Is" (B.R. Hornsby & J. Hornsby))

If we're to be about the Father's business, we are not to be on the side of ridiculing those who are poor. We're also not to go about with blinders on and our hands over our ears, pretending not to see and hear. Ignorance is not bliss for those who have been called by His name and have chosen to follow Him. Today's verse says if we do, we too will end up crying and there will be no consolation. By our actions, others will see us as selfish and without compassion, therefore will not tend to run to our aid. Perhaps a time will come and the tables will turn where those who we once looked past or stepped over to get where we were going will be the same ones looking past us. More importantly, to ignore and stop our ears to the cries of the poor displeases our Father in heaven.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27 NAS)

Orphans and widows did, and still do, make up a great percentage of the poor. If we want our religious experience to be a spiritual experience, and not just window dressing, we must be concerned with helping those in poverty. This help, patterned by our Lord, consists of addressing physical and spiritual needs as we are able. At the very least, we can pray. And prayer is no little thing if it is all we can do. Better, we can pray and give too. While visiting a brother in Birmingham, UK a couple of years ago I was able to participate in a multi-church street ministry which primarily consisted of feeding folks in need. I was told that hearing a sermon was not a requisite for receiving a meal, but that if people were willing to talk with me then I was certainly free to oblige. I've been able to do that here in my hometown also. What an eye-opener it is to hear the stories of the poor, their hurts, their sorrows and joys too. Many suffer from mental illness and the effects of drug addiction, while others are just people fallen from hardships. Let's open our ears to the poor rather than block them. I'm not saying it won't be a bit uncomfortable, but in moving from your comfort zone and doing so for Christ, you'll end up a changed person and so might they.