“The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors him.” (Proverbs 14:31)
How do you view power? If you are like the world, you flaunt your fame and power, caring mostly about the powerful, strong, and rich. Moreover, the powerful in the world oppress the poor and force them to serve themselves. But the Maker of the universe is quite different. The Maker cares even for the oppressed, weak, and forgotten in society. He is personally insulted when someone oppresses them. Why? Every human being is made in His image. And God is love.
It has been said that the values of the kingdom of God are upside down to that of the world. But it might be better for us to say that God’s way is “right side up,” and the world’s way is a corruption of the original purpose of God. Showing kindness to the weak is how we are designed, because that is who God is: God is love. We have a God who is all powerful, but what does God with His power? Power is not for corruption or oppression. Power is for service and blessing.
When Jesus preaches the sermon on the plain (Luke 6:17,20), he speaks out to “you who are poor” calling them “blessed,” for the kingdom of God is “yours”. Our Jesus does not flinch nor looks away like the rest of the world at the poor. Although “you” were forgotten by others, the God of the universe blessed you with an invaluable, “poor” spirit that enables you to depend on him better. He granted you an entrance to his banquet hall. Jesus says this not only to people from Judea but the “seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,” suggesting Gentiles were listening to him speaking. With an open hand extended, Jesus invites, blesses, and serves them. Why? Every human being is made in His image and has value, no matter how little the world sees them.
Let us join God in inviting, serving and blessing the marginalized and weak. But let us first see ourselves as the poor and weak. We love because Jesus loved us first! Through this, others will see a picture of the gospel of Jesus Christ who lowered himself and became like one of us. When we are kind to those who in need, people will see and give glory to God.