Recently people across America have learned about the hoards of homeless people living in tents in Los Angeles and other cities. These “Tent cities” seem to be growing accompanied by growing infestation of diseases and other illnesses (typhoid!?!). This of course prompts the question, How should this be dealt with?

Nuance seems to be a dirty word among some people. In the last few years I’ve heard people mocked for applying theological nuance to situations or doctrines. Any elder will tell you many situations and resolutions in the church require wisdom. Part of making wise decisions requires evaluating different factors and precise nuances to a situation. But I get it too, sometimes the Bible seems to be clear on an issue so the call to nuance sounds like philosophical jargon to “make the Bible say what it doesn’t say.” As a friend said to me once, “The biblical categories are clear, human situations are not.” This was in the context of a discussing wisdom.

To be clear and upfront, I want to show the reader that often similar situations are not similar. In order to help people, we must first accurately diagnose the problem in order to help a person appropriately.

The situation:

Recently people across America have learned about the hoards of homeless people living in tents in Los Angeles and other cities. These “Tent cities” seem to be growing accompanied by growing infestation of diseases and other illnesses (typhoid!?!). This of course prompts the question, How should this be dealt with?

On the surface the issue is boiled down to, “These people are poor and deserve our sympathy.” The Las Vegas City Council continues to receive backlash with some recent ordinances preventing people from sleeping on the sidewalks and on business’s property. As a pastor my answer has shocked some too because I have not immediately sided with the homeless in what is deemed a sympathetic / compassionate approach. This indictment lacks understanding however.

The issue remains tough because not only does the city have to think about the homeless, but their job remains to protect businesses too. Those businesses reside in zoned areas for commercial activities. That relationship establishes a contract between the city and business requiring the city to uphold their end of this agreement too. It’s a two way street. Immediately to factor this into the equation requires evaluating the nuances and difficulties in the situation.

Move the discussion forward. Aren’t we called to protect and help the poor? Yes, of course. But how do we define “poor?” Again, some will baulk at this question, thinking it’s a simple answer. However, the simpleton needs to grow in knowledge and wisdom recognizing even Scripture teaches a nuanced answer. To the person who knee jerk reacts and baulks at us for asking this question, he or she indicts him or herself revealing a lack of knowledge or the desire to grow in knowledge.

Recently a few men in our church read through DA Carson’s “How Long O Lord?.” Carson seeks to reflect on and help us navigate suffering and evil in this world. At one point Carson addresses poverty. Carson notes, “What we mean by ‘poverty’ is immensely variable. To live just under a government-specified ‘poverty line’ is quite different from dying of starvation.” (51). Well certainly we can agree homeless people are the poor of poor because they don’t have a home? Not so fast. Carson notes six different “kinds of poor.” And the solution to all six are not the same.

Scenario 1

First, Carson notes the “Unfortunate Poor.” “Some people are poor because of unfortunate circumstances. Perhaps the breadwinner has been inflicted with a debilitating and incurable disease. . . . drought . . . think Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi” (52-53). “A Rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin” (Prov 10:15). Tragedy can bring poverty. We need to recognize this. The godly response demands we engage and help. We do not merely say, “It happens” and move on because the poor will always be among us. We have an obligation to help them.

Scenario 2

Second, some are poor due to oppression. “The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice” (Proverbs 13:23). “If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. ⁹ After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land” (Ecc 5:8-9). I’ve argued elsewhere, inflation oppresses the poor too because it inflates the dollar making what little earnings they receive be less effective. Carson observes, “Here poverty is the direct result of sin — someone else’s sin.” We can help the poor here with charity and love, but as Carson notes [in addition to financial help], “what the poor really need in these cases is justice; and where we can provide it, we ought to do so” (Carson 54).

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