Will We Always Have the Poor?

Will We Always Have the Poor?

Matthew 26:6-13

            There is no book like the Bible for incorrect interpretation.  We can make Scripture say almost anything we want.  I remember a young assistant to my pastor father.  In one of his sermons he told a story about a woman who read the verse, “All things are yours,” and used it to justify her shoplifting.

            An extreme example?  Extremely silly, perhaps, but unfortunately, not extreme.  Scripture has been used to support racism, white supremacy, misogyny, anti-gay rhetoric—any and every antisocial, anti-people movement you can think of.  One of my favorite examples is white supremacists claiming they want to make America a Christian nation by getting rid of African-Americans, along with Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and anyone else that doesn’t fit their idea of who belongs here.

            In Matthew’s version of the story of Jesus’ anointing there is potential for misinterpretation.  Jesus is at Bethany, staying with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  It is sometime during the week between his triumphal entry (Palm Sunday) and his crucifixion.  Days find him in the temple, teaching, proclaiming the coming of God’s kingdom, and irritating the Pharisees and other religious leaders.  Nights he spends with his friends in Bethany.

            In Bethany, Jesus is invited to the house of Simon, the leper.  We can assume he is a healed leper, since he is living in the village and associating with people.  In Matthew’s version an unnamed woman pours ointment on Jesus’ head as he reclines at table with the other guests.  The disciples (which ones we don’t know) consider this a waste of money.  This ointment could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor.

            Jesus defends the woman and her action.  He tells his followers that she has done a beautiful thing; she has prepared his body for the burial which will come much too soon. He’s acknowledging this woman’s gift to him—a parting gift, since he will soon leave them. 

            His most interesting statement comes in the middle of his speech.  He says, “You will always have the poor with you.”

            This statement is often interpreted as meaning we can never eliminate poverty, that it will be a problem until the kingdom of God is fully realized in the age to come.  It’s a good excuse for allowing poverty to continue.  We have become numb to the horrific effects poverty has on those who suffer its consequences.

            I don’t believe Jesus meant the statement that way.  He does not accept poverty as a permanent condition.  Jesus’ words are actually a condemnation of the disciples—of everyone at the table.  “If you are so concerned about the poor,” he seems to be asking, “why aren’t you doing something about eliminating poverty?  Is it possible your concern is hypocritical?  Is it possible you care less about the poor than about condemning this woman’s behavior?

            God makes it clear in Deuteronomy (15:1-5) that there should not be poverty—no generational poverty—in the nation of Israel.  Yet many, many years later, poverty is still very much a problem for God’s people. 

            Why?  Why has poverty not been eliminated?  God issued commandments that, if followed, would have prevented generational poverty.  There would have been reversals of fortune that might affect one generation, but under God’s system, poverty would never be carried forward.  Why were they not followed? 

Why are they not followed today?