Liz Theoharis is a theologian, ordained minister, director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, and the author of Always With Us? What Jesus Really Said About the Poor
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‘The Poor Will Always Be With Us’ Is Jesus’ Indictment of the Rich. Not the Poor.
A photo of coins, representing the rich and poor. Source: Shutterstock
Poverty is not inevitable. It is a systemic sin, and all Christians have a responsibility to partner with the poor to end poverty once and for all. “The poor you will always have with you” is actually one of the strongest biblical mandates to end poverty. Matthew 26:11 quotes Deuteronomy 15, one of the most liberating Sabbath prescriptions in the Bible, and an instruction on how to follow God’s commandments to end poverty, forgive debts, and release slaves.