Episode III: I guess that survey wasn’t so quick, after all...

You’ll need to read the last one to follow this.

2nd bit: EQUALITY

Whether by making dismissive jokes about ‘chavs’, or wanting to help ‘poor africans’, we are so often guilty of assuming the poor are in some way lesser people than us. This may be because for some reason we equate worth with performance, or even more shockingly, simply with wealth. I remember looking down on other kids because their sports trousers had 2 stripes, not 3; and when our family was bankrupt, discovering tesco blue stripy crisps in my lunch and hiding them in my pocket while eating them so no one would know.

The Bible slams this poisonous belief into touch. Rich and poor, all of us are humans created by God (Proverbs 22.2, 29.13). The poor are ‘your brothers’ (Deuteronomy 15.7-12, Matthew 25.40). We have much to learn from the poor, because Jesus says that in some way they own ‘the kingdom of God’ (Matthew 5.3, Luke 6.20), and are rich in faith (James 2.5).

In fact, compared with God, we are all ‘poor’ (2 Corinthians 8.9, Revelation 3.17). Neither Satan nor God values rich or poor any differently (Revelation 13.16). God sees us all as we are, and values us by the state of our heart (e.g. 1 Samuel 16.7, Proverbs 21.2, Mark 12.41-44...) – not by our good choices or the make of our trainers.

If it’s true that the poor are of equal worth to all other people, we have to make some other interesting deductions. For example, both rich and poor are responsible for their wrong actions and attitudes (e.g. Exodus 30). Both worship idols and go against God (Isaiah 40.20). The poor may actually cause or worsen their own suffering through laziness (Proverbs 10.4, 20.13, 23.21). The Bible does not sentimentalise the poor like famine relief appeals.

The poor often have less chance to hear and know God’s way of doing things; but the rich have the chance and still are evil (Jeremiah 5.1-5). Evil actions and attitudes are not caused by poverty (as has been claimed by many, including Nelson Mandela). They are caused by our very humanity – all of us are powerless against their control (what the Bible calls ‘sin’), until Jesus sets us free (Ephesians 2.1-10 etc.)

Just as the poor are equally culpable for doing evil, they are equally capable of doing good - but their abilities are less recognised (Ecclesiastes 4.13, 9.15-16). God expects big things of them; obedience and sacrifice, including financial giving (Mark 12.41-44, Luke 21.1-4, 2 Corinthians 8-9). He expects them to work for their subsistence, not live off handouts – fair work for fair pay (Exodus 23, Leviticus 19.9-13, 23.22, Deuteronomy 24.14-15, 25.4, Jeremiah 22.13-30). No dependant relationships, no begging.

But we know that people tend to rise to big expectations. I remember my drama teacher telling me off for sulking when my ideas were rejected by my group. He said, ‘I’m paying you a compliment. You’re too good to waste your input sulking.’ He also once told me, ‘If you don’t take a good speaking part in the next play, I’ll rip your head off.’ He was a big 60-something Marxist from Dudley. And he made me believe I was good at theatre.

God’s plan is to achieve reconciliation across social divides (Isaiah 11.1-9). Therefore, the poor are to be included in our communal life, particularly in celebrations (Esther 9.22, Luke 14.12-24). In church, they are to be treated no better or worse than the rich (James 2.1-9). Have a look round the room the next time you’re hanging out with friends. Are the poor there? Did they get an invite? Why not? They may be a perfectly natural reason. There may not. ‘They’d be awkward’ is not a good reason. To clarify: being poor doesn’t entitle you to special treatment (I don’t think the Bible sponsors reverse discrimination). It entitles you to equal treatment.

If all people are really equal, even the poor, then we:

We must keep people accountable for their behaviour.

We must tell the poor the same good news we would anyone else: we need to turn away from our slavery to sin, and ask Jesus to help us, so we can know him.

We should ask big things of the poor to stretch them and unlock their potential.

We should not try and ‘help out’ the poor, but seek their friendship and work together with them.

Thoughts?