It’s a subject and even an individual that we often avoid, but it is one that God speaks of specifically and frequently (at least 50 times in the book of Proverbs alone).
“All the brothers of the poor hate him…hated even by his own neighbor…how much more do his friends go far from him” (Prov. 19:7; 14:20). “He who oppresses [or mocks] the poor reproaches his Maker” (14:31; 17:5). “Whoever shuts his ears [or hides his eyes] to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard…[and] will have many curses” (21:13; 28:27).
“The righteous considers the cause of the poor…plead[s] the cause of the poor…has mercy on the poor…has a generous eye…gives of his bread to the poor” (29:7; 31:9; 14:21; 22:9). The one who does this “happy is he…honors Him…will be blessed…will not lack” (14:21, 31; 22:9; 28:27). Here’s a truth that we need to remember – “The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all…gives light to the eyes of both” (22:2; 29:13).