True Justice and Helping the Poor in the Bible
By Dr. Tom Snyder, Editor
Modern secular society’s rejection of biblical truth has had grave consequences in the last hundred years or more. One of the biggest, most negative consequences has been modern man’s faulty notions of Justice.
In the Bible, God ordered the Hebrews not to show favoritism to the rich or the poor. This is True Justice.
By rejecting this biblical notion of Justice, modern man has left himself vulnerable to Marxist, socialist notions of justice. For example, most Marxists and most socialists view justice solely in terms of “social justice.” Thus, they always view rich people as only guilty oppressors and poor people as only innocent victims.
This Marxist, socialist view of socio-economic justice and injustice can be seen in many movies over the years.
For example, the Best Picture winner at the 2020 Oscar ceremony, a South Korean movie titled PARASITE, is a Marxist, pro-communist movie that promotes mass slaughter of the rich by poor people, who are seen as victims of uncaring rich people and of an unjust economic system that turns them into parasites.
Of course, this view of Justice is false and, ultimately immoral. It’s also unbiblical.
In reality, the Bible says all rich people and all poor people are rebellious sinners with corrupt hearts who can only be saved by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Genesis 8:21 and Ephesians 2:8-10).
Also, unlike our Marxist and socialist neighbors, the God of the Hebrew Scriptures supports private charity, not government handouts. Such private charity not only includes private gifts of money, shelter and food. It also includes the principle of leaving a small part of a farmer’s fields for gleaning by poor people, including poor immigrants. It also includes family members helping out other family members who suffer financial setbacks, empty bellies and the like. It also includes forgiveness of debts in the seventh year. Finally, it includes giving the whole church tithe every third year to the church priests or leaders, who aren’t supposed to work for a living, and to the poor.
In the New Testament documents, both Jesus and His apostles support private charity for the poor, the needy, widows over 65 years of age, and orphans. The Apostle Paul also encourages people to take care of their immediate family (see 1 Timothy 5:8). Never do Jesus or His apostles give government the job to provide for the poor, the needy or orphans.
Also, both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament documents promote hard work. Thus, Proverbs 10:4 says, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth,” and Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 3:10, if a man will not work, “he shall not eat.”
In conclusion, the God of the Bible commands rich and poor people alike to help their poor and needy neighbors, including family members and strangers. In the mind of God, charity and generosity know no economic barrier.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
