"Blessed is the one who is considerate of the poor"
The preferential option for the poor. If you've never heard of it, this is the central tenet of liberation theology from the Catholic tradition. The preferential option for the poor is the contention that God takes the side of the poor against the rich.
If you read the Bible cover to cover, the evidence for the preferential option is, in my estimation, overwhelming. And we find an example of it here in Psalm 41: "Blessed is the one who is considerate of the poor; the Lord will save him in a day of adversity." Our treatment of the poor determines the degree to which we can count upon the Lord's aid and favor. Our treatment of the poor determines our eschatological destiny.
Just read Luke 16.19-31 and Matthew 25.31-46.
Jesus couldn't be any clearer.
Reading a book in the 80s changed my life.. It was Rich Christians in the Age of Hunger, Ron Syder.. I believe. That was long ago, but my life since has been dedicated to this... which has really led me to an activist form of faith, to the field of social work. ..and away from most churches, certainly away from the evangelical movement. Growing up, I saw homeless be given tracks.. the 4 spiritual laws.. and left there to starve... This changed my views on everything.. politics, economics, modernity, theology, and in many ways has put me in a small group of people in terms of sharing values.. it is a life-changer, for good and bad..but not away from who Jesus was. Yes, a radical guy he was.. still is.