What about the poor?

This past Sunday in my preaching through the book of Daniel, we noted in Daniel 4:27 that God told Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel in regard to what the king needed to do to "break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."

This is in light of Daniel 4:4 where it is reported that Nebuchadnezzar "was at rest in (his) house, and flourishing in (his) palace." He was safe and secure from his enemies and he was living in the lap of luxury.

It is interesting that God mentions specifically "the poor." Warren W. Wiersbe in his commentary on Daniel Be Resolute says this on page 54:

"Daniel also knew how many times in the Law of Moses the Lord spoke of Himself as the protector and defender of the poor, the aliens, and the oppressed. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar had exploited the people in pursuing his extensive building operations, and wealth that should have helped the poor had been used to gratify the selfish appetites of the proud king.

"If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure." Proverbs 29:14 (NIV), ....

God has much to say about the poor and our responsibility to them.

Just read through a few verses:

Exodus 22:25 ".. you don't charge interest when you lend money to the poor."

Deut. 15:7 "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren...you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother."

Deut. 24:14 "You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens ..."

Psalm 82:3-4 "Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy, free them from the hand of the wicked."

Jeremiah 22: 16 "He judged the case of the poor and needy;..."

Prov. 29:7 "The righteous considers the cause of the poor,..."

Galatians 2:10 "They desired only that we should remember the poor..."

Deut. 15: 11 "You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy..."

Matthew 26:11 "For you have the poor with you always...."

Matthew 25: 42-45 "for I was hungry..thirsty..a stranger..sick and in prison..."

Isaiah 3:15 "What do you mean by crushing My people and grinding the faces of the poor?"

Amos 5:11 "...You tread down the poor and take grain taxes from him..."

I'm afraid America is much like Nebuchadnezzar "secure and flourishing" and not carrying enough for the poor.