Poor Neighbors

(Proverbs 14:20 KJV)  The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

Context is important in this verse.  Read the verses around it.  This is not a statement about how it should be for us.  It points out differences between God’s people and the pagans.

The standard of the world is to be “hated” (8130) because you are “poor” (7326).  If you listen to politicians, demonstrators such as Occupy Wallstreet, charities and such you think they really care but they generally want to help the poor with your money while they skim off a healthy dose for their own support and comfort.  They generally don’t have the poor home for dinner or want their children to marry them.

This is an indictment of the nature of man.  A poor person usually lives in an area full of other poor people.  They are his “neighbor” (7453).  The lower classes, unredeemed, hate those who are like themselves.

We are called to love all men.  That is the basis for the statements, “All men are created equal,” “The ground is level at the foot of the cross,” “There are in Christ no free or slave,” and so many others.

So?  Start with simple courtesy.  Give people the dignity that they might not have earned but deserve.