Consider the Poor

This week's Bible study will be from Psalm 41. As I have taken some time to read over and try to understand this psalm, I have been struck by the first verse. The first phrase of this psalm says, "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble."

What does it mean to consider the poor? Does it mean to simple be aware of the poor in society? I decided that I needed to have a better understanding. After all, the first three verses of this psalm proclaim some promises for the one that "considers" the poor.

I did a short word study on the word "considereth". I found that this Hebrew word was used quite a bit in the Old Testament. This same word was often translated "wise" or "wisdom", "skill" or "skillful", "prudent", "understanding", "teach", "instruct", and "prosper". The vast majority of the time this word was translated "wise", "wisdom", and "understand", or some derivation of these. It became obvious to me that in order to "consider" the poor I must do better than simply be aware of them. I must understand, learn, and use wisdom in regards to those who are poor.

Now I must ask myself some other questions. Do I understand the poor? Do I know what it is that they struggle with on a daily basis? Do I have a grasp of what it means to be unable to meet my own physical needs, and to have to rely upon another? Before I can expect the blessings mentioned in Psalm 41 I must have an understanding of the poor -- who they are and the circumstances of their condition.

How well have I learned about the condition of the poor? Do I understand the larger picture of poverty-- its root causes and societal patterns? What are the major issues that the poor around me face? Obviously one issue is financial, but poverty often is interconnected with other issues that must also be understood and addressed.

What does it mean to be wise toward the poor? Does this mean that I need to put some thought into my charitable giving? Is it not enough to simply give some food or money? Is giving food or money always the best thing to do? If I fail to understand and learn the true state of those in poverty I can never expect to make wise choices in my interactions with them.

Needless to say, I did not make it much past the beginning of Psalm 41 this week. Thankfully, my fellow classmates will have spent some time on other parts of the psalm and can help me tomorrow as we study together.