Who is poor?

Poor - 1. having little or no means of support; needy. 2. Indicating or characterized by poverty. 3. Lacking in some quality 4. Scanty; inadequate: as, poor crops. 5. barren; sterile: as poor soil. 6. Lacking nourishment; feeble. 7. Lacking excellence; inferior. 8. mean-spirited; contemptible. 9. Lacking pleasure, comfort, etc. : as we had a poor time 10. Worthy of pity; unfortunate

I have been reading a lot lately about the poor. Bono had some good words to share at the national prayer breakfast. My good friend gets to see the poor quite regularly. I am constantly confronted with images of devastation. We are gearing up for another 30 Hour Famine. But as I listen, as I look, and as I read, I keep coming back to this question:

Who is poor?

It's amazing how many different ways there are in the dictionary to define or use the word poor.
Usually, we think of #1. But I want to talk a little bit about #10.

You see, I understand how spoiled I am now living in my quiet, safe neighborhood. I know that I have far more than most people. I know I am selfish, living beyond what I would ever really truly need. I give but know I can give more. I know these things because I used to live a different way. I was not white trash. Yet, I was a poor white country boy. In a family of seven, we had needs and never seemed to have surplus. I remember the X-mas we would not have had if someone would not have showed up at our door with Hefty sacks full of toys. Yeah, we don't need X-mas. But, I think you get the picture that we didn't have a lot.

In those time of being without, I think they were some of my best years. Because in those years, I had love. I had the support of a family. I had no stress. (I still have some of these things). We may have been borderline #1, but we were definitely far from #10.

Who is poor?

The family that has a six figure income but never sits down to eat a meal together.
The daughter who gets anything she ever asks for but never hears her father say, "I love you."
The son who recieves praise for being such an outstanding athlete, but never for just being a son.

On a trip to Mexico, I learned a few things from the Mexican people. They didn't have much. But they were proud people.

Who is poor?

My heart breaks for the "rich" who are surrounded by emptiness.
My heart breaks for the "poor" who would like to have their empty belly full.

I know John 3:16 is so cliche that we seldom study it. But I hope you remember that Jesus came to die for the world. He came for the "rich" and the "poor".

So, let's not forget the poor (#1) or the poor (#10). Because the word's of Jesus ring true. They are striking words from Mark 14:7 - "The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me." He said these words after being annointed by expensive perfume. Perfume that could have fed many hungry and clothed many naked. Jesus' point, I think, was we need to honor him. He said that the woman "did what she could."

That calls me to do what I can. Sometimes I feel like the little drummer boy. "I am a poor boy too... I have no gift to bring... that's fit to give a king. Shall I play for Him? I played my drum for him... I played my best for Him... Then He smiled at me."

Please forgive me if I don't help the poor (#1) like I should or can. I am trying and getting better. I really do care and am taking action to do more. I pray; I offer what I can. But, I feel God has called me to help the poor (#10) for this season of my life. That means I have more luxuries (a.k.a a roof over my head) . Because of the country I live in and the family I was born into I have the responsibility to shine the light on Christ and honor him with the people who may be "rich".

Who is poor?

Anyone I encounter who does not know The Life.