Thursday, January 19, 2012

Where Is Our Concern For The Poor?

The only thing they suggested was that we continue to help the poor, and I have certainly been eager to do that. -- Galatians 2:10

The news headlines centered on one candidate’s income tax rate. The candidate is a wealthy man. His business tactics have come under attack. And now his tax rate. Nothing illegal, you understand. Just a number that seems to point out the differences between the haves and the have nots.

Our country -- and much of the world -- has certainly experienced some tough economic times these last few years. Things seem to be improving but the economy is still a long way from recovering. Many of us have felt it, including quite a few who never, ever expected to feel the sting of unemployment.

Does that make us view candidates and their messages a little differently? Do we still cling to that notion that one party is more a “Christian” political party that the other? Because it isn’t true. It never has been. But in the political world perception is really all that matters.

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Galatians. During this time period, there was a huge disagreement over exactly what the newly-converted Gentiles must do to be saved. Some Jews who were believers in Jesus insisted that Gentiles must be circumcised and follow the Jewish laws. Others, including Paul, insisted that Jesus died so that all who believed would be saved. It was by grace, not by laws or rules.

Paul took his petition to James, Peter and John, who Paul refers to as the pillars of the church. This James was the brother of Jesus and not the disciple who had already been put to death for his beliefs.

A compromise was reached and everyone was happy. The only thing these leaders of the church requested was that Paul, and the others taking the message to the Gentles, remember the poor. They agreed. It was important to Paul as well.

How important are the poor to the Christians in our country today? We hear about abortion and homosexuality and monuments that proclaim the Ten Commandments. But we don’t really hear a lot about the poor -- at least not from the Christians.

Some Christians that I know are quick to tell anyone who is unemployed to get a job. Or, for those who are working at minimum wage, to get a better job. As if it were as easy as filling out an application and starting on Monday. These Christians are quick to tell others what to do and how they should do it.

Where is their compassion? Where is their willingness to help? Where is their heart, because it certainly isn’t reflecting Jesus’ love and care out to a hurting world?

I have no idea who will be the best candidate in the coming election. But I do know that we need to concern ourselves with more than a few “button” issues. We need to think of the poor. We should consider the unemployed. And we should be concerned about the growing disparity between the haves and the have nots.