“The poor will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek the Lord will praise him.” (Psalms 22:26, NIV)
In the later Old Testament writings, the “poor” not only lacked physical resources but also depended on Yahweh. Knowing that food and housing were limited they turned to God for help. So the Psalmist of this psalm declares the Lord’s intention to give to the poor the food they need. And those who live in dependence on Yahweh will praise him because of his provision. And so, if we are in need God wants to help. In general, the physical things we need God will provide (Matt. 6:33).
But under the new covenant the “poor”, those who seek God, have even more. Jesus promised:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:3, 6 (NIV)
Now, it seems here that Jesus really focuses on the heart, even more than physical needs. We hunger and thirst for good, for godliness and God will satisfy our hunger as he gradually Christforms us and completes us in the next age. We are the poor and dependent ones now and God will give us his kingdom!
Thus, God encourages us to embrace our appropriate poverty and hunger. We can think of ourselves this way. We already have so much more than the wealthy and satisfied of this world, and he is giving us even more until he gives us all things in the next age.
