Today’s Scripture Reading (October 6, 2019): Proverbs
17
Charlotte Bronte in “Jane Eyre”
writes “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure,
plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! - I have as
much soul as you, - and full as much heart!” In the minds of some, the poor are
of little consequence. The rich have always struggled to understand the needs
of those who live without. It is part of the problem with our current political
system. It is only those who have some level of privilege who have the capacity
to run for public office. But that existence of privilege means that they
cannot understand the needs of those who live without it. And therefore, it is
impossible for the privileged to truly represent those who live in poverty in
our political systems.
It has always been that way. Solomon reminds his readers that
they need to honor the poor. The brutal reality is that neither Solomon nor his
sons would ever totally understand the plight of the poor. After all, in his
day, there was no one more privileged than Solomon and his sons. They had never
been poor and never wondered from where their next meal might come. Yet,
Solomon knew that he could not honor God unless he could honor the poor.
We live in a world that is becoming increasingly economically
diverse. And part of the problem is that we live in a world where the rich frequently
seem to want to make it a crime to be poor. So many sociologists are ringing
the alarm bells. In the United States, all of the elements are currently
present that could indicate a coming, probably violent, revolution. And part of
the solution to avoiding that revolution is learning to honor the poor. We have
to find equitable solutions to low wages and poverty. The nations of the First
World must begin to use their economies to support the victims of poverty and
disaster.
We need to recognize that being poor does make anyone less
than. And that God quickly stands in defense of those who live outside of the
world of privilege, and opposes anyone who might mock or take advantage of
them. Even the most influential people, like Solomon, need to understand that
spiritual reality. Or, we need to get ready for the coming revolution.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 18
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