Why is there poverty?

"Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.  For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

John 12: 7-8

Why in the world would Jesus say such a thing?  Is not the work of the Kingdom to eliminate suffering, to bring justice, to promote freedom to the captives?  Is not our work in the Kingdom to promote such things?

This week I have the privilege of preaching on the topic of Biblical economics out of Acts 4:32-5:11.  It should be fun.  Why?  Because most people have made economics a matter of faith.  I do not mean that they allow their faith in influence their understanding of economics.  Instead, our rival political parties have made their economic platforms the civic religion of the West.  

In other words, no matter what I say, I will tick off someone who thinks I am too political.  At the heart of it, their aggravation will illustrate their "economic religion" more than it will reveal their well thought out biblical rational for their beliefs.  

I grew up in a mainline denomination where the primary focus of teaching was about eliminating suffering by promoting government programs to help the poor.  These religious leaders and folks walked in lock step with the Democrat party.

After I came to faith, I became part of the bible church movement, which often promoted hard work as the key to success.  These folks believed that government intervention eliminated initiative from those "less fortunate."  (Their words not mine.)  Thus, these religious leaders and folks walked in lock step with the Republican party.

To both of these entrenched camps, I caution about the need to think Biblically about their positions.

Why?

The question of societal economics is much deeper and more nuanced than either side would care to admit.  Both side's simple declarations indicate their civic religion perspective more than a well informed biblical perspective.

In other words, why would Jesus say that we will always have the poor with us?

Answer: Because we live in a fallen world.  This world system is broken.  In its brokenness, injustice occurs.  This means that people are not equal in ability, reward does not always come to the deserving, folks will individually and collectively manipulate and abuse others for personal gain, and in the process economic inequality will occur.  This means that some will have more and others will have less.  

Furthermore, trying to fix the problem by force, which is the nature of the state, will not fix the problem because those with the power are also fallen and corrupt.  In fact, power draws corruption to itself.  This is why the process of politics rarely solves one problem without creating at least two more.  This is why politicians "change" when they are in power for any length of time.  

So what is Jesus saying?  He is stating reality.  In our fallen world, we will always have the poor with us.

The presence of the poor provides us with the opportunity to show love and compassion.  In fact, we have a calling to encourage and help the poor, the needy, and those with limited ability.  As we do, we show the compassion of God.

Yet, there is so much more to biblical teaching than the mere illustration of compassion and love.  There is a proclamation of the truth.  What truth?  We are struggling personally and collectively under and in our world system because of sin.  Sin has real and negative effects.  It is not only collective, but also personal.  It is not only personal, but also collective.  When we see it in any form, we need to call for repentance and faith in the One True King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, those religious "liberals" need to add proclamation of truth and the notion of sin to their acts of intentional kindness to the poor.  Those religious "conservatives" need to add acts of intentional kindness to the poor to their proclamation of truth and sin.  (Notice the equation of political parties with our religious traditions)

Why?  Because in our fallen world we will always have the poor with us.  I thank God that Jesus is coming again to end this world system and to restore that which was lost in the fall.  Come quickly Lord Jesus!