Blessing the Poor, Part 4

Blessing the Poor, Part 4

“Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.”[1]

Although the content of the teachings we call the Beatitudes, found in Matthew, and what we call the Blessings and Woes, found in Luke are similar in many ways, there are also interesting differences between them. For example, the Beatitudes contain eight statements of blessing for certain conditions of being. In contrast, the Blessings and Woes are made up of four statements of blessing for the common conditions of being poor, hungry, sad, and excluded, followed by four statements of woe directed at those experiencing the opposite conditions of being rich, full, happy, or popular. So the statement from the Blessings and Woes that most closely corresponds to the Beatitude of “Blessed are the poor in spirit” is “Blessed are you who are poor,” as I considered over the past three weeks.

There is another of the Blessings and Woes, however, that relates to the teachings about being poor. It is far more blunt, as are each of the Woes: Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” So where Jesus emphasizes the blessings of being poor in the initial statements of the two sets of teachings, here he tells those who are rich that they’ve already received their reward. It is as if he is saying, “Do not seek more because you’ve already received your share and more.” In a time when the wealth gap between rich and poor has reached astronomical proportions and continues to grow, this teaching seems particularly apt.

If we believe, as I do, that there is enough of everything needed for a comfortable existence for everyone, then there is a point where consuming or acquiring more of the good things in life can only come at a detriment to other less powerful, less influential people. Tax breaks are arguably a good example. Most tax breaks, at least those implemented of late, allow essentially taxpayer to pay less in taxes, which seems like a good thing for everyone on its surface. But a 1% reduction in the tax rate for a lower-middle class family might save them a couple hundred dollars per year, where that same 1% tax rate reduction might save a rich family tens of thousands of dollars per year. But that is not even the worst of the disproportionate impact. The reduced revenue into government coffers from the tax breaks must be offset (at least in theory) by reductions in government services, which go in disproportionate shares to those at the lower ends of the income scales. So they may gain a couple of hundred dollars in reduced taxes only to find themselves paying thousands more per year for health insurance and other costs that are no longer stabilized by government funding. For those below the level where taxes are charged, the impact is even worse for they save nothing in taxes to help offset the higher cost of needed goods. Of course, this is an overly simplified example, but it is a reality that is being lived out by millions in our country today. So as the rich say, “Wait a minute, where is my tax cut (or other reward)?” we can hear Jesus responding, “…you have already received your reward.”

One challenge is that the wealthier we become, the more we require to sustain our current lifestyle, which may or may not appear lavish when compared to others of our peers. And then there are those of us who are caught up in a more expensive, resource-consuming lifestyle than we need or desire but find that keeping the status quo is cheaper (for us) than downsizing. For example, I live what I consider a relatively simple life. But I live that life in a large home that used to house my wife and children on five acres of land. The per capita consumption of resources to sustain this “simple” life for one is astronomical. Balancing my lifestyle with my needs is neither easy nor cheap. I’m not complaining, but it is a conundrum.

As such, I consider myself both part of the cause of poorness in our world and part of possible solutions, though I never intended to be in either position. While I do not consider myself rich, when compared with the upper classes of society, I do recognize rich as a relative term, and I know I am rich beyond measure when compared with the majority of people in the world and even with most people in this nation. In Jesus’ words, I have received my consolation. Even though I am not seeking more in terms of earthly goods, there seems to be an implication in Jesus’ words that I should do something to help mitigate the negative impacts of my resource consumption. Perhaps that is a way to help counter the woe of the consolation I have received.

This is the 7^thin a series titled Blessedness and Woe.Life Notes are my explorations into mysteries that interest me. They are invitations for readers to explore more deeply into life’s mysteries. Engage with me or explore contemplative spiritual direction at ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] Luke 6:24