圣经中很多地方都提到神关心贫穷人,其中有差不多500节经文,都表达了神关心有需要的人,并且祂渴望为维护他们的利益而采取行动。
不过,谁是贫穷的人呢?穷人也有很多类别,而圣经也使用了很多不同的方式来形容他们。有些人贫穷,是因为他们缺乏金钱或财富;有些人则要倚赖别人生活;有些人是甘愿贫穷;有些人的贫穷,是因为遭遇不幸,也有些却是因为他们自己做了错误的选择。总体而言,穷人是那些受欺压的人,他们不但在物质上缺乏,也因为没有权力和机会以致在社交方面有缺失。他们贫困、软弱、容易受伤。
神看顾他们中的每个人。圣经教导我们,神不单关心那些在物质上缺乏的人,祂也关心那些被贬低、欺压、排斥、隔离、被剥夺机会、以及被忽视的人。圣经一次又一次向我们表明,这位向贫穷人施“慈悲怜悯”的神,应许亲自保护他们,供应他们的需要。
神吩咐跟随耶稣的人也去效法祂的慈悲、关怀和怜悯,藉着任何正当的途径,以爱心帮助他人、服务社群、或致力于建设一个较为公平和可持续发展的世界。
耶稣啊,你以你的话语和你的爱赐福给贫穷人,求你教导我们也照你的榜样行。阿们。
路加福音 6:20-22
20耶稣举目看着门徒,说:“你们贫穷的人有福了!因为神的国是你们的。
21你们饥饿的人有福了!因为你们将要饱足。你们哀哭的人有福了!因为你们将要喜笑。
22人为人子恨恶你们,拒绝你们,辱骂你们,弃掉你们的名以为是恶,你们就有福了!
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." - Luke 6:20
God’s concern for the poor is written all over the pages of Scripture. Nearly 500 verses in the Bible express God’s concern for the needy and God’s desire to act on their behalf.
But who are the poor? They are varied, and the Bible has many different words to describe them. Some people are poor because they have no money or wealth. Some are simply dependent on others. Some are poor by choice. Some are poor because of misfortune, and some are poor because of poor decisions they made. Most commonly, the poor are those who are oppressed, suffering not only material poverty but also social poverty from lack of power and opportunity. They are poor, vulnerable, and weak.
God cares for them all. The Bible teaches that God has concern not just for people who are materially poor but also for those who are put down, oppressed, marginalized, shunned, denied opportunity, and overlooked. Again and again the Bible reveals the God who shows the poor his “tender mercies,” offering himself in promises of protection and provision.
Followers of Jesus are called to imitate God’s compassion, care, and mercy, lovingly assisting the poor in whatever ways are required, whether it means helping individuals, revitalizing communities, or working to create a more just and sustainable world.
Jesus, you blessed the poor with your words and your love. Teach us to do the same. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳