How does oppressing the poor show contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 14:31)?

Answer

Proverbs 14:31 states, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” This verse conveys a significant biblical principle: our treatment of others mirrors and impacts our relationship with God.

The term translated as “oppresses” can also mean “slanders,” encompassing the notion of demeaning or belittling others. Those who belittle or demean the poor demonstrate contempt for or insult God. A similar principle is echoed in Proverbs 17:5, which declares, “Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker.” The question arises: why does slandering the poor amount to insulting God?

The crux lies in the term Maker. Every individual, irrespective of their social status or financial position, is crafted by God in His own image, as stated in Genesis 1:27. This truth is reiterated in Proverbs 22:2, “Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.” Disparaging God’s creation equates to slandering God.

In Matthew 25:31–45, Jesus discusses a forthcoming judgment following the tribulation. In verses 41–46, the Lord connects one’s treatment of others with their relationship to Himself:

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will r

Reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

Jesus clearly emphasizes that our treatment of those in need reflects how we treat Him.

James 2:1 adds, “Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” Using the example of how individuals in the church might respond to a wealthy man and a less fortunate man (verses 2–4), James reminds his readers that our attitude towards the less fortunate is an expression of loving our neighbors as ourselves (verse 8). If we neglect the needs of the less fortunate, we are not following God’s commands.

This, therefore, demonstrates another way that mistreating the less fortunate demonstrates disrespect for God—it is a direct violation of His instructions to love your neighbor as yourself and to avoid showing favoritism. First John 3:17 poses a rhetorical question to convey the same message: “If anyone has material possessions and observes a brother or sister in need but lacks compassion for them, how can the love of God dwell in that individual?”

God deeply values the less fortunate and anticipates His followers to do the same. Furthermore, we are expected to act on that concern: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” «And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.», (James 3:18). The way we interact with the less fortunate mirrors our love for God. When we mistreat the less fortunate, we show contempt towards God.