Looking down on the lowly is to insult God

Looking down on the lowly is to insult God

The way we think about and treat the needy, the lowly and those that the world looks down on, shows what we think about God, the Creator.

08/06/20203 min

By ActiveChristianity

Looking down on the lowly is to insult God

4 min

Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31 (NCV).

God despises no one

In our human nature (which is also called the flesh) there is a desire to be seen and be honoured. Most of the time, this desire is so great, that people don’t care if they have to treat someone else unfairly, as long as they get some honour.

It is usually the weak and the needy who are treated badly and unjustly, and most of the time, they do not have many people that defend them and stand up for them, because most people look up to someone that is great or important. The poor person has not created himself. So, to treat him badly and unjustly is to insult or criticise God, his Maker. But “the one who will rescue them is strong — his name is the LORD Almighty. He himself will take up their cause …”  Jeremiah 50:34 (GNB).

God punishes all injustice. It is therefore very important to be extra careful in how we treat others. Mercy overrules judgment. (James 2:13.) Paul writes, “We haven't mistreated or hurt anyone. We haven't cheated anyone.” 2 Corinthians 7:2 -(CEV). He feared to be hurtful to anyone that Jesus had died for.

And those parts [of the body] that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty …” 1 Corinthians 12:23 (GNT). When someone has to suffer or gets hurt because you joke or make fun of him in front of others, you insult God who made him. For God says in His Word that you should protect him. “Yes, God is mighty, but he despises no one; he understands all things...” Job 36:5 (CSB). Who can compare himself to God? Who can understand things like God understands them? Who knows all our weaknesses like He does? And still, He despises no one.

God’s co-workers in blessing and helping people

If we have the same attitude of mind as Jesus, and are humble and think better about the others than about ourselves, we will be able to help and bless people. God cares very much for the weak and the lowly. ‘“This is what the LORD God says, ‘I am angry with the shepherds of Israel. They only think about themselves. But shepherds should keep the sheep safe and well? … I will keep them safe myself. I will make them lie down and rest,’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 34:2,15 (EASY).

God was angry with the shepherds of Israel because they had not protected and taken care of the weak ones, and didn’t heal the sick ones, and didn’t go and look for the ones that got lost and brought them back. Let us love one another, which is the perfect bond that holds us together (Colossians 3:14) and become God’s co-workers so that the lowly and weak can grow up and be happy in God’s church. If we do this, we also honour God, who is the Creator of everyone and everything.

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This article is based on an article by Kaare J. Smith which first appeared under the title “Contempt for the lowly” in BCC’s periodical "Skjulte Skatter" (“Hidden Treasures”) in December 1970. It has been translated from the Norwegian and is adapted for use on this website. 
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