How Does God View the Poor?

The Bible describes the Creator of mankind as “the One giving bread to the hungry ones.” (Psalm 146:7) It contains over one hundred verses that highlight God’s concern for the poor.

For instance, when Jehovah gave his Law to the ancient nation of Israel, he commanded Israelite farmers not to harvest the edges of their fields completely. They were not to collect leftover fruit by going over an olive tree or a vine a second time. These laws were a loving provision for aliens, orphans, widows, and other afflicted ones.—Leviticus 19:9, 10; Deuteronomy 24:19-21.

Moreover, God commanded the Israelites: “You people must not afflict any widow or fatherless boy. If you should afflict him at all, then if he cries out to me at all, I shall unfailingly hear his outcry; and my anger will indeed blaze, and I shall certainly kill you with the sword, and your wives must become widows and your sons fatherless boys.” (Exodus 22:22-24) Sadly, many wealthy Israelites ignored those words. For this and other wrongdoing, Jehovah God gave the Israelites various warnings through his prophets. (Isaiah 10:1, 2; Jeremiah 5:28; Amos 4:1-3) Eventually, God caused the Assyrians and later the Babylonians to conquer Israelite territory. Many Israelites were killed, and the survivors were taken captive to foreign lands.

God’s beloved Son, Jesus Christ, reflected his Father’s loving concern for the poor. Explaining the purpose of his ministry, Jesus said: “Jehovah’s spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18) This does not mean that Jesus limited his ministry to the poor. He lovingly helped rich people too. However, when doing so, Jesus often expressed his concern for the poor. For example, he gave this advice to one rich ruler: “Sell all the things you have and distribute to poor people, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower.”—Luke 14:1, 12-14; 18:18, 22; 19:1-10.

Jehovah God and his Son care deeply about the poor. (Mark 12:41-44; James 2:1-6) Reflecting his concern for the poor, Jehovah holds within his memory millions of poor people who have died. All such ones will be resurrected into a new world free from poverty.—Acts 24:15.

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