Thread by @msbellows

@RepStephenMeeks Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

— Proverbs 31:8-9

@RepStephenMeeks Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

— Proverbs 22:22-23

@RepStephenMeeks Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

— Proverbs 14:31

@RepStephenMeeks Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

— Proverbs 19:17

@RepStephenMeeks The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

— Proverbs 22:9

@RepStephenMeeks Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

— Proverbs 28:27

@RepStephenMeeks “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”

— Psalm 12:5

@RepStephenMeeks My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

— Psalm 35:10

@RepStephenMeeks I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

— Psalm 140:12

@RepStephenMeeks May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.

— Psalm 72:3-4

@RepStephenMeeks Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: ... to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe them?

— Isaiah 58:6-11

@RepStephenMeeks [Lord]You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.

— Isaiah 25:4

@RepStephenMeeks Looking at his disciples, [Jesus] said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

— Luke 6:20-21

@RepStephenMeeks Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

— Romans 12:11-13

@RepStephenMeeks If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

— 1 John 3:17

@RepStephenMeeks Then Jesus said to his host . . . When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

— Luke 14:14

@RepStephenMeeks If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.

— Deuteronomy 15:7-8

@RepStephenMeeks Give generously to [the poor] and do so without a grudging heart, then because of this the Lord your God will bless you... There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward the poor and needy in your land.

— Deuteronomy 15:10-11

@RepStephenMeeks I say to you, Mr. Meeks: the Bible is clear: do not judge the poor, but love and give generously to them. You believe you soon will face the Lord and His judgment. I suspect you don't want to face Him with that tweet -- and your hardhearted policies -- unretracted.