Common Oppression

(Proverbs 28:3 KJV)  A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

One way in which the “poor” (7326) can oppress the “poor” (lowly NASB) (1800b) is by taking charity, free food or some type of welfare when they don’t really need it.  In the Hebrew there are two different words.  That is not reflected in the KJV.  Score one for the NASB.  I always liked the wisdom of the proverbial saint who said, “We were not poor.  We just didn’t have much money.”  The first word here represents what we would call the lower classes of America.  They don’t have big bank accounts.  They might live in small homes.  They might drive old cars.  In spite of that they are keeping the wolf away from the door.  They often have Air Conditioning, cable, internet and a second car. 

The second word is where most of the world is at.  They go without food some days.  They live in one room huts and have no access to medical care.  They are not able to work or there is no work available.  They are truly destitute.  When those who can work take what is intended for those who cannot, it is the poor oppressing the poor.  This type of oppression is more prevalent than the rich oppressing the poor.  Think how much would be available if we could do away with graft and fraud in the different social programs. 

So?  Often there is little you or I can do except act as watchmen.  We can report abuse.  We can vote for people with genuine 365/7/24 Christian values.  And of course, we can make sure that when we receive some help that we really need it.