God and the poor

Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

In the New International Version of the Bible, caring for the poor is referenced 178 times. Jesus talkes about giving to the poor and abandoning your wealth and money in general appox 105 times. He talked about money more than He did Heaven and Hell combined. Jesus' messages about money seem less to do with having too much than with too little. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is concerned with people having too little of what they really need. That meant health for the sick, welcome for outcasts, food for beggars, and protection for women and children. Of all the parables in the Bible 11 of 39 talk about money.

Politicians on the far right talk of being "Christians" and following God's word when they make their policies for the American people. They are quick to quote one of their favorite passages from the Bible, one that fits their speech for the day. They conveniently leave out the passages that do not support their ideas. They give their groups catchy names like Values Voter Summit, Christian Coalition, the Conservative Christian's, and the Christian County Republican. Each speech given includes some reference to the Bible, Jesus or God. George W Bush loved to talk about being a Christian and doing God's work. He even stated that God talked to him and told him to run for President.  On June 10, 2003 the Washington Post quoted him talking about God's concern for the poor: "Jewish prophets and Catholic teaching both speak of God's special concern for the poor. This is perhaps the most radical teaching of faith, that the value of life is not contingent on wealth or strength or skill, that value is a reflection of God's image." But  during his presidency poverty increased by 3 million children. The Republican Congress working with George W passed a bill that would reduce the number of low-income families who receive housing vouchers by more than 150,000. 
The current Republican controlled House has proposed cutting the following programs that help the poor: 
$1 billion off Head Start, $1.1 billion off the Public Housing Capital Fund, $752 million from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, and $5.7 billion from Pell Grants. They were against extending unemployment payments but the only policy they would not budge on was extending tax cuts for the rich. Presidential canidate Herman Cain is getting a lot of attention for his 9-9-9 plan. His plan sets a fixed tax rate for ALL Americans and corporations. Our current income tax plan allows for low income families to pay little or no tax, these families will now pay 9% sales tax (plus any state sales tax), and 9% tax on all income. Cain's plan reduces taxes for the rich while raising taxes for the poor.  Michele Bachmann wants to take away employer health insurance and give a "tax break" so people can buy their own insurance. With the average cost of health insurance about $13,200 a year, that equates to about 50% of their income.(poverty level for 2011 was set at $22,350). This is 15% of all wage earners. Again the poor will suffer. House Speaker John Boehner recieved a letter from  75 Catholic academics and community leaders stating ""Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress." It is time the Democratic Party step foward and show the American people how just speaking like a good Christian does not matter, it is in your actions that show your true Christian/Jewish feelings.


Deuteronomy 15:7 “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.”




1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."