The Poor

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God."   ... Proverbs 14:31

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So did you read this article back in September?:

Slammed For Using Food Stamps, GA Woman Seeks Apology

Well, I did, and I've needed time to cool off, I suppose, before writing about it.

Oh my... That (former) Kroger manager's remark made me livid. You know, the "Excuse me for working for a living and not relying on food stamps like you," thing. It reminded me of how shocked I was when, earlier, dear Facebook friends published snide remarks about food stamps users, comments which sounded as though all people on food stamps are suspect-- lazy, drug-using cheaters sucking the life and money out of all our wallets.

And this story also reminded me of the time, just months earlier, when still-unemployed Tom told me, "You know... officially we qualify for food stamps," and I got all panicky just thinking of how we'd be perceived by people if we used them. The Georgia woman incident hadn't yet happened, but inside my head, I'd imagined it happening to me. I know how people, even otherwise-nice friends, can be when it comes to others receiving government help.

Do some people take advantage of food stamps unfairly? Yes, of course. But is that a reason to make cruel assumptions about everyone on welfare? (Or remarks which, even unknowingly, make all recipients feel bad, even those who truly have a need?) Isn't that like assuming all churches are cults just because some are? Or all doctors are quacks, just because some have been? 

Now, it probably wasn't wise for the Georgia mother (who is on dialysis and has a husband who does work, but can't get enough jobs as a carpenter) to cop an "I told you so" attitude toward the manager. She may have not stayed sweet when the items in her cart were questioned as to whether they qualified for the food stamp program.

Always, yes, there are two sides. But the Bible says to defend the cause of the weak, the poor  (Ps. 82:3)--and it doesn't add, "but only if they are sin-free, gleaming examples of humanity." Also it states, "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." (Prov. 21:13). Ouch. Truly something to consider if we wish our future to be, well, good.

 It's this "everybody on food stamps is a lazy thief" attitude which needs to stop. I've seen it spread like wildfire and it burns and destroys just as hurtfully. Our faulty, non-compassionate, better-than-thou assumptions can slice spirits like silent knives, killing even fresh desires of those floundering to pick themselves back up.

And woe be unto us, if we had any part in that.

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Proverbs 19:17  He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Psalm 82:3-4 Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
(Something good to remember? Weak people are, well, weak. Not necessarily bad and out to make trouble, but just unable to use wisdom. God asks us to bear with them, rescue them-- not condemn them with our words.)

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands... " 1 Thessalonians 4:11

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If we lived right, ourselves--trusted God, sowed good things, gave cheerfully our tithes and to the poor-- we'd not be panicky and bitter about governmental debt. Instead, we'd know God could and would take care of us no matter what.

"Never assume anything."  (Oh, how God has drummed that one into my head these past two years! He won't let me get away with assumptions about anything.)

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