Who are the Poor and Marginalized?

Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?

For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:2-4

Before reading on, please pause for a moment and reflect upon this passage… Have you ever looked at someone and thought “what shabby clothes” or “that person looks abnormal, and is probably mentally challenged as well?” Have you ever walked across the street to avoid a homeless person?

In studying the Bible we talk a lot about how to behave towards the poor and marginalized but no one ever talks to the poor and vulnerable. We talk about “them” as if they were just anonymous blobs of flesh that need handouts, protection and charity… we tend to think we know what is best for them… we need to open our eyes, ears and heart to the poor, handicapped, and others who live on the fringes of society.

Strangers have looked upon me as a marginalized person many times in my life. It is sad that some cannot look beyond physical deformities and see the beauty of the soul.

Let us welcome those on the fringes as Jesus did. Let us make an effort to befriend those less fortunate. We must remember that though we are many parts… many different parts… we are all one body in Christ.
- God Bless, Holly Clark