Poor

[Easton] The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19, 21). (2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6). (3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev. 25:25-30). (4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex. 22:25-27; Deut. 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deut. 15:7-11). (5.) In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deut. 15:12-15; Lev. 25:39-42, 47-54). (6.) Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor (Deut. 14:28, 29; 26:12, 13). (7.) They shared in the feasts (Deut. 16:11, 14; Neh. 8:10). (8.) Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Lev. 19:13). In the New Testament (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1; Gal. 2:10; James 2:15, 16) we have similar injunctions given with reference to the poor. Begging was not common under the Old Testament, while it was so in the New Testament times (Luke 16:20, 21, etc.). But begging in the case of those who are able to work is forbidden, and all such are enjoined to “work with their own hands” as a Christian duty (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:7-13; Eph. 4:28). This word is used figuratively in Matt. 5:3; Luke 6:20; 2 Cor. 8:9; Rev. 3:17. [Smith] The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) “the poor shall never cease out of the land.” Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned: The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21) From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6) Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30) Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27; Leviticus 25:3,5,37) etc. Permanent bondage forbidden, and manumission of Hebrew bondmen or bondwomen enjoined in the sabbatical and jubilee years. (Leviticus 25:39-42,47-54; 15:12-15) Portions from the tithes to be shared by the poor after the Levites. (14:28; 26:12,13) The poor to partake in entertainments at the feasts of Weeks and Tabernacles. (16:11,14) see Nehe 8:10 Daily payment of wages. (Leviticus 19:13) Principles similar to those laid down by Moses are inculcated in the New Testament, as (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15) [Nave] –Atonement money of, uniform with that of the rich people Ex 30:15 –Inexpensive offerings of people who have very little money Le 5:7 ; 12:8 ; 14:21 , 22 –See ALMS –See BENEFICENCE –See LIBERALITY –See ORPHANS –See POVERTY –See WIDOWS –Also see RICH –See RICHES –UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Ex 23:3 , 6 ; Le 19:15 ; 1Sa 2:7 ; Ne 8:10 , 12 ; Job 29:11-13 , 15 , 16 ; 30:25 ; 31:15-22 ; 34:19 ; Ps 37:16 ; 82:3 , 4 ; 109:16 ; Pr 10:15 ; 13:7 , 8 , 23 ; 14:20 , 21 , 31 ; 18:23 ; 19:1 , 4 , 7 , 17 , 22 ; 20:13 ; 21:13 ; 22:2 , 9 ; 23:21 ; 28:6 , 8 , 11 , 19 ; 29:14 ; Ec 4:6 , 13 ; 6:8 ; 9:15 , 16 ; Jer 22:16 ; Eze 16:49 ; Mt 25:42 , 45 ; 26:11 ; Mr 12:43 , 44 ; 14:7 ; Lu 6:30-35 ; 16:20 , 21 ; Joh 12:6 ; Jas 1:9 , 10 –DUTY TO Ex 22:25-27 ; 23:11 ; Le 19:9 , 10 ; 23:22 ; 25:25-28 , 35-37 , 39-43 ; De 14:28 , 29 ; 15:2-14 ; 24:12-21 ; 26:12 , 13 ; Ne 8:10 ; Ps 37:21 , 26 ; 41:1-3 ; 112:4 , 5 , 9 ; Pr 28:27 ; 29:7 ; 31:9 , 20 ; Isa 1:17 ; 16:3 , 4 ; 58:7 , 10 ; Eze 18:7 , 16 , 17 ; Da 4:27 ; Zec 7:10 ; Mt 5:42 ; 19:21 ; 25:35 , 36 ; Mr 14:7 ; Lu 3:11 ; 6:30 ; 11:41 ; 12:33 ; 14:12-14 ; 18:22 ; 19:8 ; Ac 20:35 ; Ro 12:8 , 13 , 20 ; 1Co 13:3 ; 16:1 , 2 ; 2Co 6:10 ; 9:5-7 ; 8:9 ; Ga 2:10 ; 6:10 ; Eph 4:28 ; 1Ti 5:9 , 10 , 16 ; Heb 13:3 ; Jas 1:27 ; 2:2-9 , 15 , 16 ; 5:4 ; 1Jo 3:17-19 –FIGURATIVE .Poor in spirit Mt 5:3 ; Lu 6:20 ; Isa 66:2 .See CREDITOR .See DEBTOR .See EMPLOYEE .See EMPLOYER .See SERVANTS .See WAGES –GOD’ S CARE OF 1Sa 2:7 ; Job 5:15 , 16 ; 31:15 ; 34:18 , 19 , 28 ; 36:6 , 15 ; Ps 9:18 ; 10:14 ; 12:5 ; 14:6 ; 34:6 ; 35:10 ; 68:10 ; 69:33 ; 72:2 , 4 , 12-14 ; 74:21 ; 102:17 ; 107:9 , 36 , 41 ; 109:31 ; 113:7 , 8 ; 132:15 ; 140:12 ; 146:5 , 7 ; Pr 22:2 , 22 , 23 ; 29:13 ; Ec 5:8 ; Isa 11:4 ; 14:30 , 32 ; 25:4 ; 29:19 ; 41:17 ; Jer 20:13 ; Zep 3:12 ; Zec 11:7 ; Mt 11:5 ; Lu 4:18 ; 7:22 ; 16:22 ; Jas 2:5 .See GOD, GOODNESS OF .See GOD, PROVIDENCE OF –KINDNESS TO .INSTANCES OF .To Ruth Ru 2:23 .By Boaz Ru 2:14-16 .To the Widow of Zarephath 1Ki 17:12-24 .Prophet’ s widow 2Ki 4:1-7 .Jews Es 9:22 .By Job Job 29:11-16 ; 31:16-21 , 38-40 .The Temanites Isa 21:14 .Nebuzaradan Jer 39:10 .The Good Samaritan Lu 10:33-35 .Zacchaeus Lu 19:8 .Congregations Ac 6:1 ; 11:29 ; Ro 15:25 , 26 ; 2Co 8:1-4 .Dorcas Ac 9:36 .Cornelius Ac 10:2 , 4 .The congregation at Antioch (in Syria) Ac 11:29 , 30 .Paul Ro 15:25 .Congregations of Macedonia and Achaia Ro 15:26 ; 2Co 8:1-5 –OPPRESSIONS OF Ne 5:1-13 ; Job 20:19-21 ; 22:6 , 7 , 9-11 ; 24:4 , 7-10 ; Ps 10:2 , 8-10 ; 37:14 ; Pr 14:20 ; 17:5 ; 19:7 ; 22:7 , 16 ; 28:3 , 15 ; 30:14 ; Ec 5:8 ; Isa 3:14 , 15 ; 10:1 , 2 ; 32:6 , 7 ; Eze 18:12 ; 22:29 ; Am 2:6-8 ; 4:1 , 2 ; 5:11 , 12 ; 8:4 , 6 ; Hab 3:14 ; Jas 2:6 .See POOR, DUTY TO –INSTANCES OF .The widow’ s son 2Ki 4:1-7 .See CREDITOR .See DEBTOR .See SERVANTS .See WAGES