God of the Poor
Liberation Theology
Week 4: God of the Poor
Mark 10:23-27
23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is[a] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[b] “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
It’s All About Humanity
Historically men were valued above women, old over young and rich over poor. In Mark 10, Jesus flips this upside down. In terms of wealth, Jesus’s teachings are convicting. He claims it is easier for a “camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God,” (Mark 10:25). When we think about our country, we are among the wealthiest in the world. This passage directly convicts us. It matters how we relate to the poor. In this passage, the rich man didn’t go to heaven because he was rich, the rich man didn’t go to heaven because he didn’t notice the humanity of the person that he was passing. It’s all about humanity. Jesus doesn’t say it is impossible for the rich to make it to heaven, but he makes it clear it is difficult. With wealth comes power, and with power comes oppression. To end that cycle, we must see the humanity and inherent value in our neighbor.
Preferential Option for the Poor
Gustavo Gutiérrez claimed God has a “preferential option for the poor.” This does not mean that God’s love is only extended to the poor, but that God prioritizes the well-being of the poor. God has a preference for those who are suffering, they tend to needs first. Meaning that God prioritizes the liberation of the poor over the spiritual salvation of individuals.
However, when it comes to misison and outreach, the Church tends to focus on salvation above meeting needs. Those on the outside of an oppressed community tend to think they know what is best for those who are being oppressed. Regardless of good intentions, this notion is incredibly harmful.
When dealing with the poor there is often a “savior complex” but a lack of seeing the humanity in the individual. Let’s think of how we view mission work or service projects. Groups swoop into an unfamiliar situation and do meaningless service projects that don’t have a lasting positive impact on a community. They do what they think a community needs, often without asking the community what they need. Largely, this is a performative act to ease your conscience.
Instead of trying to come to the poor in change them, we should ask ourselves how God is speaking to and through the poor. In the words of James Cone, “To know God is to know what God is doing in human history for the oppressed of the land.” We need to see the humanity in those around us who are suffering, and work relentlessly to meet the needs of our neighbors.
Poverty Resources for Columbia, MO
Crew Discussion Questions:
Re-read Mark 10:23-27 and take some time to look through Columbia’s Poverty Statistics.
23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is[a] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[b] “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
What do you think about how Jesus addresses wealth?
How does this impact us (personal, church, city, state, nation…etc.)?
Does anything stand out about Columbia’s poverty levels?
How do you think The NBRHD care for the poor of our community?