Thursday: Proverbs ~ Mercy on the Needy

As a collection of wisdom sayings, the book of Proverbs touches on a diverse range of topics and life experiences. Among these are reflections on poverty, riches, contentment, justice, and injustice—and sometimes from differing angles. Life is not always simple and straightforward, and Proverbs alerts us to the different circumstances and choices that influence how life is lived, even among those who are faithful to God.

Read and compare Proverbs 10:4; Prov. 13:23, Prv. 13:25; Prov. 14:31; Prov. 15:15-16; Prov. 19:15, Prov. 19:17; and Prov. 30:7-9. What are these texts saying that is relevant to wealth, poverty, and helping those in need?

Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com

Proverbs emphasizes the concern and attention God has for the poor and vulnerable. Sometimes people are poor because of circumstances, poor choices, or exploitation, but whatever the causes of their situation, the Lord is still described as their Creator (see Prov. 22:2) and Defender (see Prov. 22:22-23). These people are not to be oppressed or taken advantage of, whatever their mistakes.

While Proverbs does offer a better life through choosing wisdom and obeying God, riches are not always the result of God’s blessing. Faithfulness to God is always seen as more important and ultimately more rewarding than material gain: “Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice” (Prov. 16:8, NIV).

Another concern in Proverbs is honesty and fair dealing in business, government, and in administering justice (see Prov. 14:5, Prov. 14:25; Prov. 16:11-13; Prov. 17:15; Prov. 20:23; Prov. 21:28; Prov. 28:14-16). Proverbs is not only concerned with the lives of individuals but also offers insight as to how society as a whole should function for the benefit of all, particularly for those who need protection. We are reminded again that at their best, those who govern and lead do so with the help of God (see Prov. 8:15-16), and should be acting as agents of His grace and compassion toward those in need.

It’s easy for anyone to feel sorry for those in bad situations. How, though, can we take that feeling of sorrow and turn it into action?

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When I was growing up, my mother and grandmother between them kept a couple of hundred chooks (laying hens/chickens for the rest of you). They were open range and fed in the paddock next to the cowshed on the farm. We had plenty of time to watch chook behaviour. One of the things we noticed was that whenever a chook became sick, the other chooks would attack it. We labeled the behavior, "the chook-yard syndrome".

The problem is that chook-yard syndrome does not just apply to chooks. We humans suffer from the same behavior. If you want any evidence of that, go on to any community Facebook page and see the treatment of those who have perceived to have made a mistake. It's not pretty, and often those who are the butt of this abuse are not able to defend themselves (nor would they want to on Facebook if they understand how social media works). Social media brings out the very worst of human behavior, particularly to those who are in some sort of need.

I belong to a community Facebook page and it is a "chook-yard" at times. I have made it my mission to change the tone of the Facebook page by introducing people to the beauty of our environment and local birdlife. So among all the abusive language about people who drive cars in the wrong places, burn bad-smelling rubbish, and own cats that howl at night and pee on other people's flowers, I put up photographs of our environment and birds with a little educative comment about them. At the very least my comments are appreciated and for a few moments of Facebook time, readers are given a respite from the vitriol that is so pervasive.

Perhaps we need to apply some of the proverbs quoted in the lesson today to those who are poor in social capital. In our modern Internet-connects world who are the poor and needy? Who is being exploited?

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Thursday: Proverbs ~ Mercy on the Needy — 9 Comments

Maurice Ashton on July 24, 2019 at 10:16 am said:

When I was growing up, my mother and grandmother between them kept a couple of hundred chooks (laying hens/chickens for the rest of you). They were open range and fed in the paddock next to the cowshed on the farm. We had plenty of time to watch chook behaviour. One of the things we noticed was that whenever a chook became sick, the other chooks would attack it. We labeled the behavior, "the chook-yard syndrome".

The problem is that chook-yard syndrome does not just apply to chooks. We humans suffer from the same behavior. If you want any evidence of that, go on to any community Facebook page and see the treatment of those who have perceived to have made a mistake. It's not pretty, and often those who are the butt of this abuse are not able to defend themselves (nor would they want to on Facebook if they understand how social media works). Social media brings out the very worst of human behavior, particularly to those who are in some sort of need.

I belong to a community Facebook page and it is a "chook-yard" at times. I have made it my mission to change the tone of the Facebook page by introducing people to the beauty of our environment and local birdlife. So among all the abusive language about people who drive cars in the wrong places, burn bad-smelling rubbish, and own cats that howl at night and pee on other people's flowers, I put up photographs of our environment and birds with a little educative comment about them. At the very least my comments are appreciated and for a few moments of Facebook time, readers are given a respite from the vitriol that is so pervasive.

Perhaps we need to apply some of the proverbs quoted in the lesson today to those who are poor in social capital. In our modern Internet-connects world who are the poor and needy? Who is being exploited?

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- Maxine Katherine Nack on July 25, 2019 at 4:54 am said:
  
  What is that Facebook page? I would like to see more of your photography and some of your comments. I always look forward to the comments you share on the saner page.
  
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  - Maurice Ashton on July 26, 2019 at 12:20 am said:
    
    Hi Maxine. Thank you for your kind comments. The Facebook page is a local community page and is a pretty rough place at times. I do have a public Facebook page and you are welcome to look at it. However, it is a family and birding friends place and I do not usually accept friends outside of that circle. It avoids a lot of problems. If you would like to see my photographs of birds and nature, click on my name above and you will be taken to my album account.
    
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    - Maxine Nack on July 26, 2019 at 4:53 am said:
      
      Thanks Maurice I will do that.
      
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Newbegin Devaraj on July 24, 2019 at 11:46 am said:

Hunger and water insecurity are big reasons why people struggle to escape extreme poverty.
If a person doesn’t get enough food, they simply don’t have the strength and energy needed to work, while lack of access to food and clean water can also lead to preventable illnesses like diarrhea.
Even if clean water sources are available, they’re often located far from poor, rural communities. This means that women and girls collectively spend time walking long distances to fetch water. That precious time that could be used working, or getting an education to help secure a job later in life.
Social structure constantly cause disparities in education, employment and income for marginalized groups.

There are things we can do and we are doing.
Rain water harvesting - Rainwater harvesting means capturing, diverting and storing non-potable water for later use.
Adventist education is the reason one family with twelve children without a father were educated and not one child lives in poverty.
Medical work for those who cannot afford medical care.

We are making a difference in the world.

Maurice Ashton on July 21, 2019 at 10:11 am said:
"We may not be able to solve the global issues of poverty and exploitation but it is quite possible that within our own small sphere of influence we can hear the prayers of the exploited and do God's work in answering those prayers."

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Gumede Busi on July 25, 2019 at 6:16 am said:

Can someone out there perhaps help me understand why we are having the following problem: Our church (in South Africa)is within a community with many poor families. Their kids come to Sabbath regularly and we provide good lunch for everyone. Some of these kids come with old torn clothes, and they come like that for years, but the amazing thing is that the moment we help them with some decent clothing, they never come to church again. We are really battling to establish the cause of this!

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- William Earnhardt on July 25, 2019 at 7:04 am said:
  
  All I can say Busi, is it is the same all over. We have to remember we are helping people unconditionally. The important thing is you are spreading God's love and that is what you are called to do. But many times I have been working at the church office here in Florida, and people always stop by asking for money. No one ever stops by asking for Bible studies. So I have to remind myself what I just shared with you.
  
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  - Busi Gumede on July 26, 2019 at 2:44 am said:
    
    Thank you William, I really need to keep reminding myself of our motive for service, I get very discouraged when this happens!
    
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    - janet Ochieng on July 26, 2019 at 3:29 am said:
      
      I want to thank God for using me in a small way to always show compassion to the needy.How I pray that he touches all of us to do what God did.
      
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