Paying the Price For Poor Judgment

One of the issues I think is important to look at regarding the poor is how much of their being poor is because of choices they have made and how much is because of circumstances beyond their control.  The reason I think the distinction is  important is that I think there is a difference in the way those two groups should  be handled from a Biblical perspective.

Matthew 25:1-12(NKJV)

1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 

4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom £is coming; go out to meet him!’ 

7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 

8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

9But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 

10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 

12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Notice in this story that those who were wise and prepared were rewarded.  Those who weren't prepared were shut out of the good times.  Were they shut out for some reason beyond their control?  Not at all.  They were shut out because they were foolish and not prepared, something they controlled directly.  Notice what happened when the foolish virgins came back later saying give us a break, let us in.  What did Jesus tell them?  Take a hike.  You missed the opportunity. 

For those who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own I think compassion is in order.  They deserve some help and a hand up to get back on their feet. 

On the other hand we have those who have made poor or foolish choices throughout their lives that have limited their ability to enjoy life to the fullest.  What I am thinking of here are things like getting a degree in Underwater Basket Weaving instead of getting a degree in something that they can actually earn a living at.  Things like having a bunch of kids when they haven't even graduated high school.  Things like watching their industry change and not taking any initiative to upgrade their skills and get a better job before their current jobs is gone.

The Scripture above seems to indicate that those people should suffer the consequences of their foolishness.  Does that mean that we shouldn't help them as well?  Not at all.  However in my opinion I think the single most valuable thing we can do for those people is make their help conditional on their recognizing and admitting that it is their own mistakes that have put them in the position they are in. 

In other words, they aren't victims!  They brought it on themselves just like the foolish virgins above.   There are many that think this approach is cruel.  I think it is even crueler to let them hide from the real cause of their problems by coddling them and telling them it isn't their fault when it is!