POOR

Lacking material possessions or the necessities of life; at times, inferior in quality; also, pitiable because of spiritual deficiency.

The problem of poverty is an ancient one. Down through the centuries the needy generally have outnumbered those having much. When accepting an act of generosity, Jesus recognized the hard fact that poverty would persist among humans living in imperfection, saying to his disciples: “For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to you can always do them good, but me you do not have always.” (Mr 14:7) The Bible presents a balanced view of the problem, expressing compassion for those suffering under oppressive conditions, while also reproving those who, in effect, ‘eat their own flesh’ because of indolence. (Ec 4:1, 5; Pr 6:6-11) It stresses spiritual prosperity over material prosperity (1Ti 6:17-19); hence, the apostle wrote: “For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.” (1Ti 6:7, 8) But the Scriptures do not portray material poverty as a virtue in itself, and they warn of the temptation to steal, which extreme poverty may bring.​—Pr 6:30, 31; 30:8, 9; contrast Eph 4:28.

The Poor in Israel. It was not Jehovah’s purpose that any of the Israelites suffer poverty. The nation was given an inheritance of land. (Nu 34:2-12) All Israelite families, with the exception of the Levites, who received a tenth of the produce of the land for their service at the sanctuary, shared in that inheritance and therefore had a means of supporting themselves. (Nu 18:20, 21) Landholdings were secure. Laws of inheritance ensured that the land would continue to be held by the family or tribe to which it belonged. (Nu 27:7-11; 36:6-9; De 21:15-17; see INHERITANCE.) It could not be sold in perpetuity. (Le 25:23) In the Jubilee year all hereditary lands that had been sold were restored to their rightful owners. (Le 25:13) Thus even if a man squandered his substance, the inheritance could not be forever lost to his posterity.

Faithful adherence to God’s law would largely have prevented poverty among the Israelites. (De 15:4, 5) However, if disobedient, they would not have Jehovah’s blessing, and this would lead to impoverishment due to such calamities as invasions by enemy armies and severe drought. (De 28:22-25; compare Jg 6:1-6; 1Ki 17:1; 18:17, 18; Jas 5:17, 18.) Individuals, because of being lazy (Pr 6:10, 11; 10:4; 19:15; 20:13; 24:30-34), drunkards, gluttons (Pr 23:21), or pleasure-seekers (Pr 21:17), could bring poverty on themselves and their families. Then, too, unforeseen circumstances might arise that could plunge persons into poverty. Death could leave behind orphans and widows. Accidents and sickness could temporarily or permanently hinder a person from performing necessary work. For these reasons Jehovah could say to Israel: “Someone poor will never cease to be in the midst of the land.”​—De 15:11.

The Law, however, did much to make it easier for the poor to cope with their situation. During the harvest they had the right to glean in the fields, orchards, and vineyards and, therefore, did not have to beg for bread or resort to stealing. (Le 19:9, 10; 23:22; De 24:19-21) A needy Israelite could borrow money without having to pay interest, and a spirit of generosity was to be shown toward him. (Ex 22:25; Le 25:35-37; De 15:7-10; see DEBT, DEBTOR.) To build up his financial resources, he could sell his land or sell himself into slavery, on a temporary basis. (Le 25:25-28, 39-54) So as not to put a hardship on the poor, the Law permitted them to present less valuable offerings at the sanctuary.​—Le 12:8; 14:21, 22; 27:8.

God’s law prescribed equal justice for rich and poor alike, not favoring either one because of his position. (Ex 23:3, 6; Le 19:15) But as the nation of Israel lapsed into unfaithfulness, the poor suffered much oppression.​—Isa 10:1, 2; Jer 2:34.

In the First Century C.E. It appears that considerable poverty prevailed among the Jews in the first century C.E. Foreign domination from the time of the Babylonian exile had doubtless interfered with the application of the Mosaic Law, which protected hereditary possessions. (Compare Ne 9:36, 37.) The religious leaders, especially the Pharisees, were more concerned about tradition than instilling genuine love of neighbor and proper regard for aged and needy parents. (Mt 15:5, 6; 23:23; compare Lu 10:29-32.) The money-loving Pharisees had little interest in those who were poor.​—Lu 16:14.

Christ Jesus, though, ‘felt pity for the crowds, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.’ (Mt 9:36) His declaring the good news to the poor and oppressed stood in such marked contrast with the attitude of the religious leaders of Judaism that it constituted one of the proofs that he was indeed the Messiah. (Mt 11:5; Lu 4:18; 7:22) To responsive ones it also opened up the glorious privilege of inheriting the heavenly Kingdom.​—Mt 5:3; Lu 6:20.

Being in a covenant relationship with God, the Jews were under obligation to assist needy fellow Israelites. (Pr 14:21; 28:27; Isa 58:6, 7; Eze 18:7-9) Appreciating this, Zacchaeus, upon accepting Jesus as the Messiah, exclaimed: “Look! The half of my belongings, Lord, I am giving to the poor.” (Lu 19:8) For the same reason, Christ Jesus could say: “When you spread a feast, invite poor people, crippled, lame, blind; and you will be happy, because they have nothing with which to repay you.” (Lu 14:13, 14) On another occasion he encouraged a rich young 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.” (Lu 18:22) The fact that this man was unwilling to part with his possessions to aid others showed that he had no real concern for the oppressed and thus did not have the qualities required for being a disciple of Jesus.​—Lu 18:23.

Jesus’ encouragement to assist the poor was in line with what he himself had done. As God’s Son in the heavens, he had had everything. But “though he was rich he became poor.” As a poor man on earth, he was able to redeem the human race, making available the greatest of riches, that is, the prospect for his followers to become sons of God. (2Co 8:9) Additionally, other great spiritual riches became available to them.​—Compare 2Co 6:10; Re 2:9; 3:17, 18.

Also, while on earth, Jesus personally took an interest in the materially poor. He and his apostles had a common fund from which they gave to needy Israelites. (Mt 26:9-11; Mr 14:5-7; Joh 12:5-8; 13:29) The same loving concern for the poor was manifested in later years by Christians as they provided material assistance for their poor brothers. (Ro 15:26; Ga 2:10) But some did forget, making it necessary for the disciple James to reprimand them for bestowing favoritism on the rich and looking down on the poor.​—Jas 2:2-9.

Of course, only those who were deserving received material assistance. By no means was laziness encouraged. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: “If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.”​—2Th 3:10; see BEGGAR, BEGGING; GIFTS OF MERCY.