GOD DEFIES SOCIAL DARWINISM:

In many modern societies based on “Social Darwinism,” some see no moral obligation in helping the poor. And as a matter of fact, some see it as outright wrong. They claim that it is a violation of the forces of nature. But is it?

In the Bible, God has provides us with practical guidance on how to live above the stresses of life, and we are given instructions on how to manage the resources He has given us.

In this series,

From a biblical perspective, we are looking at how to effectively manage the resources God has given us while prioritizing What Really Matters.

Review any of our previous lessons @ SabbathSchoolDaily.com.

Also, you can obtain the study guide to these lessons @ Sabbath.School or ssnet.org (Split)

Let’s Pray

God Most High, you created science. And as our Creator, you have the power to defy science. Therefore, when what man holds as truth violates the values you have established for us, help us obey you rather than man. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Contrary to modern science and Social Darwinism, many of the authors of the Bible include God’s commands for making provision for the poor, the strangers, widows, and the fatherless. For instance, as far back as Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai, we find in Exodus 23:10, 11 God’s special command to make provisions for the poor:

10 “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce,

11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. (Exodus 23:10, 11, NKJV).

Furthermore, Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 15:11 provide important rules regarding the poor and even strangers, those typically who were aliens or foreigners.

Leviticus 23:22

22 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’ ” (Leviticus 23:22)

Deuteronomy 15:11

11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’ (Deuteronomy 15:11)

So here we see that God expected the Israelites to open their hands wide to their brothers, that is, their fellow Israelites. Today it would be fellow believers, the poor, the needy, and the foreigners in the land.

As we have already seen in a previous lesson, Jesus refers to the poor, the needy, the stranger, the widow, and the fatherless as “the least of these” he sees them as brothers and sisters.

You can review any of our previous lessons at SabbathSchoolDaily.com 

Hence, Jesus in Mathew 25:40, illustrating how the poor and needy should be treated, shows that He considers the least of these, that is, those whom most see as beneath them, as His family.

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:40, NKJV).

Psalms 82:3, 4 tell us how we should treat those in need:

3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalms 82:3, 4, NKJV).

From this verse, we see that God not only expects us to give food to the poor, but He wants us to also stand against social injustice. He wants us to speak up for those who are disenfranchised, excluded, or treated unfairly.

God extends promises of blessing to those who help the poor and the needy according to the following verses in Proverbs.

Proverbs 28:27

27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. (Proverbs 28:27, NKJV).

Proverbs 29:14

14 The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever. (Proverbs 29:14, NKJV).

Similarly, King David noted in Psalm 41:1  

1 Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. (Psalm 41:1)

So, in ancient Israel, even though, at times, they lost sight of it, in the sight of God considered the poor and needy as a priority.

However, in modern times, some scholars have said it is wrong to help the poor. They maintain that there is nothing that indicates that we should be concerned for the poor. They, in fact, believe that it is wrong to help the poor. They base their notion on scholars who used science and nature to excuse their behavior.

Using the theory of “Social Darwinism” they argued that the weak things in nature die at the expense of the strong. Hence, they maintain that only the strong should survive.

Moreover, “Social Darwinists” believe that helping the poor is a detriment to society.

They maintain that when society helps the poor, the sickly, and the needy, they multiply. And as they multiply, the social fabric of the nation, as a whole, is weakened.

This thinking is contrary to what God has established.  It is a cruel concept that has its roots in evolution. It is a false narrative that goes completely against what God has ordained for his people. 

Such ideas come from replacing Bible truth with false science and false theories.

To avoid this type of thinking, according to the book Our High Calling, we should look to Jesus.

“We should study to copy the Pattern, that the Spirit that lived in Christ may live in us. The Saviour was not found among the exalted and honorable of the world. He did not spend His time among those who were seeking ease and pleasure. He went about doing good. His work was to help those who needed help, to save the lost and perishing, to lift up the bowed down, to break the yoke of oppression from those who were in bondage, to heal the afflicted, and to speak words of sympathy and consolation to the distressed and sorrowing. We are required to copy this pattern. Let us be up and doing, seeking to bless the needy and comfort the distressed. The more we partake of the spirit of Christ, the more we shall see to do for our fellow humans. We shall be filled with a love for perishing souls, and shall find our delight in following the footsteps of the Majesty of heaven.—Our High Calling, p. 180.

Jesus defied the false scientific theories and false philosophies of how the world sees the poor and the needy.

Knowing that Jesus died for everyone speaks volumes regarding how we should show love and kindness to all people regardless of their status in life. Rich or poor, male or female, black or white, in Jesus, we are all one family. He sees us as His brothers and sisters. This idea should change how we treat those who have been marginalized or seen in society as lower class.

There are some very wealthy people, who have great riches and claim to love God, yet they are not willing to do God’s commands as it relates to the poor and needy. What is Jesus’ response to such individuals? Find out in Day 5: The Rich Young Ruler

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