When leaders of politically and economically powerful nations visit developing or poor nations, they are given a royal welcome. There are occasions when the dignitary arrives, the whole areas he will travel is decorated, roads re-laid and the poor are removed en route. In some places, the poor people’s huts are removed, or a wall is built so that they are not visible. Yes, the rich and elite want the service of the poor, but not the poor. “There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siege works against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. (Ecclesiastes 9: 14-16)
Insulated: The educated, rich, elite, and powerful want themselves to be insulated from the poor: pavement dwellers and slum dwellers. In some multi-storied apartments, there are separate lifts or stairs for the servant maids, milk delivery boys, or food delivery agents to use. Even their presence on the elevator pollutes them.
Isolated: In fact, the poor settlements are designed to be isolated from the rich and powerful. They fear that the interaction with the poor children, by their children could bring in bad values and contagious diseases.
Invisible: City planners want the image of the city to be great. If poor people live in cities, the impression would not be good. Hence, they are made to dwell outside the city and commute to do their work. Or hidden from the sight of most people in the city.
Incredible: However, the poor are incredible, and valuable who are created in the image of God. The Bible teaches that God who created the rich in their mothers’ wombs, also created the poor in their mothers’ wombs. (Job 31:15) Hence, discriminating, criminalizing, or ill-treating them in attitude, words, or behavior is a sin against God. (Proverbs 17:5)
What is my attitude towards the poor?