The Poor Will Always Be Among You...

Over the past couple of years, and especially in 2006 a number of events and experiences have helped shape my evolving perspective on poverty. Over the next few weeks I hope to share some of those experiences and my thoughts.

One event was a session I attended at ElderLink a couple of months ago, where Larry James defined what he called a theology of the poor. I'll try to summarize without losing too much in the translation...

When Jesus made the statement to his disciples that the poor would always be among them, he was quoting from the 15th chapter of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 15 is one of those situations where God first describes his intent for his people - the ideal standard.

There should be no poor among you, for the LORD your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession. You will receive this blessing if you carefully obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.

Next he acknowledges the possibility that his people may fall short but remains hopeful that they will respond appropriately...

But if there are any poor people in your towns when you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead be generous and lend them whatever they need.

And finally, knowing the nature of his people, he acknowledges his realistic expectation...

There will always be some among you who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.

I had always understood Jesus' statement (when I gave it any thought) to indicate that it was simply part of the natural order of things that there would be poor people in the world. Clearly, that is not what the first part of Deuteronomy 15 would imply. Rather, the presence of poverty in the world would seem to be confirmation of a failure to live according to God's will. And not just on the part of the poor...