In biblical times, as is in our own, an abundance of privilege brought with it a monopoly on power. Interestingly, it also warns against the opposite extreme. Others were not to be robbed of justice in order to create a level playing field. The poor should be understood. The rationale behind Old Testament commands to protect the interests of the poor point to Israel s experience in Egypt.
True compassion grows out of shared experience.
We are more likely to be sensitive to the needs of the poor when we understand their circumstances. The needs of the poor are the responsibility of the community at large. The philosophy of an individualistic society says that the helping hand you are looking for is found at the end of your own arm. There is a widespread conviction among many affluent believers that those who are poor got themselves into trouble and should get themselves out of it. The Bible does not sanction this every man for himself kind of philosophy.