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Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... Romans 12:2

A Biblical Approach to Poverty

by Zoltan Horvath

The Scriptures teach that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Every thought is to be obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). God's Word should therefore profoundly shape our views. The Scriptures are given to bring us certain knowledge of Christ (Luke 1:4) and obedience to them is necessary if we are to be made "complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16,17). Scriptures are wholly sufficient to teach us about man's fallen condition. Poverty arises from that condition, so what does God's Word say about it?

The world rejects God's Word because it hates God (Romans 1:30). Consequently, when it deals with poverty it either denies God outright or simply ignores Him. It defines things in humanistic terms. This denial of fundamental truth, namely God, makes it impossible to reach the truth regarding man's condition. The world's thinking becomes futile and foolish (Romans 1:21-22). Unless we abide in Jesus, we cannot bear good fruit (John 15:5), so any solution proposed by unbelievers will not succeed.

The contrast between Christian and non-Christian worldviews becomes evident when addressing poverty. The worldly approach focuses on humanistic factors. The cause of poverty is linked to systems and exploitation. By extension, any person or country that prospers seemingly does so because of exploitation or by chance. God is removed from the equation. This rhetoric is prevalent in the secular media and the "liberal left."

Christians today often embrace this worldview. We often do not consider God's sovereignty when defining poverty. The tacit premise is that God watches passively "from a distance" to see how we act with the means He has given us. However, what does the Bible teach about poverty? Are we really left to listen to modern secular prophets as some would urge or can we, like Jehoshaphat, ignore lying prophets and inquire of the Lord through His Word (cf. 1 Kings 22:7)?

Back to Basics
Indeed we can because the Bible is a two-edged sword (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12) enabling us to discern truth as it brings wisdom to the simple (Psalms 19:7). Those who reject it are ultimately foolish (1 Corinthians 3:19-20).

The Bible teaches that poverty does not exist by chance. It is a consequence of the fall and will always exist (Deuteronomy 15:11, Matthew 26:11). This is the first biblical response if one asks why people are poor. The question implies if we understand the social cause, we can identify solutions. If we think we will eliminate poverty through social action, then we call God a liar and have more in common with Marxism than biblical Christianity. Indeed Marxism did not, and cannot, obliterate poverty.

Poverty and Sin
Scriptures that deal with the cause of poverty link it to the sin of the poor themselves (Proverbs 6:10-11, 20:13, 21:17, 23:21). Most people look at this in reverse believing their sin causes poverty through a lack of concern for neighbour or exploitation. The Bible certainly opposes oppression by the rich (James 5:1-6), but it does not cite it as the cause of poverty per se. Again that is Marxist philosophy. There are passages that command us to share material blessings with the poor (Galatians 2:10), but no passages connect that practice to the elimination of poverty. (Note: I am referring to worldwide poverty here and not poverty within the Church. If we walk in obedience then poverty will not exist among the brethren (Deuteronomy 15:4-10).)

We must not fall into the spirit of the age and allow the world to define our beliefs. If the carnal mind is correct in defining the cause and solution of poverty, we essentially agree that the Word of God is false and unnecessary for life. Not surprisingly, the world believes this since it has not been conformed to the truth. However, it is most distressing to see Christians support their view which makes God passive in history and leaves the solution to man. However, Scriptures teach repeatedly that God ordains all history and is not passive (Psalms 139:16, Proverbs 20:24, Acts 17:28, 2, 2 Chronicles 30:12, Deuteronomy 2:30, Romans 9:17-23).

Faith and Prosperity
We should consider God's sovereignty foremost when we note how our society has prospered while others have not. We have not prospered by our own hand, whether through exploitation or industrial development. The West has prospered because God has ordained it. God is reasonable and just and He does not act arbitrarily—although to our limited understanding it may seem that way at times. The Bible explicitly teaches that God blesses those He loves (Deuteronomy 30:5,9; Mark 10:29-30) while He brings judgment on those who hate Him (Deuteronomy 5:9-10). Among His people there will be no poor if we walk in obedience (Deuteronomy 15:4, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 10:3).

Evidence of History
History supports this view. America is the world's only superpower. Canada's gross domestic product 150 years ago was comparable to that of a Third World country, yet we have prospered. Is our Christian heritage of any significance here? Does the gospel have an effect on a society or not? It surely does. After centuries of having the gospel, western societies have become prosperous through the blessings of God, not some fluke of history or the strength of our hands. To ignore God's blessing as the cause is to ascribe to a godless view of history.

Consider "Third World" countries where the gospel has not, for the most part, taken deep root. An honest examination of the "work ethic" in poor countries reveals rampant corruption and laziness. Most ex-colonies were more prosperous under colonial rule, benefitting from Christian ethics, although they were ill-treated to some extent. My friends in India admitted that British-made buildings were far superior. We ought not paint colonialism with a simplistic brush.

God's Will, Not Man's
Several caveats and points of clarification are necessary. Scriptures neither teach that the Lord favors all who are rich nor that His judgment is on all the poor or that poverty occurs because of a particular sin. In fact, the opposite may be true as in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:20-31). The Bible teaches that at times the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer (Psalm 73). This is temporary, as Asaph writes in that Psalm. By no means does God make that the rule. The Bible teaches the wicked will not prosper ultimately, but the righteous will flourish (2 Chronicles 24:20, Deuteronomy 28:29). God may also cause an unrighteous nation to rise to prominence for a time according to His purpose. This is also temporary and such a nation eventually comes under God's judgment (Exodus 9:15-17 and Romans 9:17-18) as is evident from Egypt to Rome.

I am not promoting a "prosperity gospel" which suggests success is always a sign of God's favour. This is a grave error since wicked people may prosper and it ignores Jesus' words "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33—emphasis added).

Clearly, our primary task is to obey the Lord; material blessing from God follows. We should not despise these blessings as ascetics do (Colossians 2:20-23). This is a Gnostic error asserting material things are base whereas God created them "good" (Genesis 1:31). Like Job, we should be prepared to see blessings removed and say "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).

The Social Gospel Is Flawed
The prevailing humanistic worldview is flawed. It asserts the poor exist because of injustice. As such, they bear no responsibility for their situation and are entitled to something they did not earn. In essence, sinful envy and covetousness are legitimized. Help for the poor becomes a matter of fundamental justice, not mercy (which, by definition, is not deserved). The Bible teaches we all deserve nothing but God's judgment and any good we receive is mercy (cf Ps 130:3,4). The world points to Western excesses (rightfully to some extent) and claims that poor countries are right to riot against "American Imperialism" or other "Western exploitation." Christians should reject this and point to the real reason for unrest in the world: rejection of the gospel and widespread sin.

Poverty is part of the suffering God uses to show man the consequence of sin. C.S. Lewis wrote that suffering was God's megaphone to man. Government social programs attempt to turn this megaphone off so man may feel self-sufficient without the gospel. These programs provide money with little or no accountability, requiring nothing from the recipient. By contrast, Leviticus 19:10 teaches: "you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape ... you shall leave them for the poor..." This does not support the notion that a portion of the harvest should be delivered to the door of the able-bodied poor: that idea is inconsistent with 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." Our welfare system contradicts this since able-bodied people who do not work still eat.

Scripture does not teach that government should help the poor. God appeals to the world through the church (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Through the ministry of the gospel, the world is to see our good works and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16 cf Revelations 19:7,8). The supposed good works of social programs give glory to a secular government and none to Him.

The Biblical Response
What is a biblical response to poverty? The poor need mercy, which should come through the church. We are to minister the gospel to the world along with acts of mercy. Our acts should be voluntary as a sign of love rather than compulsory through taxes or inferred guilt (2 Corinthians 9:7). God's special grace comes through the gospel and we must proclaim it.

Social programs hinder our ministry. We cannot compete financially if the government takes 40% of our income and distributes it apart from God. How many of the 5,000 would have come to Jesus if loaves and fishes had been delivered to their door by Rome?

Imagine the impact we could have if we could give more money to the church while the world observed our practical love and ministry towards the poor (John 13:35). I would rather see the gospel advance through a strong church that helps the poor than have government programs send people comfortably to hell. The Bible teaches the poor are actually more prone to faith (James 2:5). How do they profit if they gain a steady welfare cheque but lose their eternal souls (cf Matthew 16:26)?

Jesus is the Answer
Our message to the world is that we have God to thank for our prosperity, but if we forsake Him we face judgment. To the poor the message should be believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and all these things will be added unto you. We should never be content to provide for material needs apart from the gospel. Repent, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and feed on the eternal bread of life. May the Lord strengthen our faith in His gospel indeed for the glory of His name. Amen!

Return to Volume 9, Number 1.