Exploitation

Taking advantage of weak and vulnerable groups within society, especially financially; a practice that is prohibited in Scripture. Rather, such groups of people should be treated with special care and concern.

Exploitation is forbidden

Proverbs 22:23 See also Job 22:5–9; Proverbs 23:10; Isaiah 5:8, Isaiah 59:12–15; Ezekiel 45:9–10; Micah 2:1–3; Zechariah 7:10

for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.

God protects those who are liable to exploitation

Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 12:5 See also Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 10:17–18, Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 25:4

He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.

“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

God provides for those liable to exploitation

Exodus 23:10; Deuteronomy 14:28–29, Deuteronomy 26:12–13; Psalm 22:26, Psalm 68:10, Psalm 132:15

Examples of groups of people who must not be exploited

The poor

Proverbs 17:5; Isaiah 3:14–15; Amos 2:6–7, Amos 5:11; Zechariah 7:10

Orphans and the fatherless

Psalm 10:17; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 5:27–29, Jeremiah 22:3

Widows and aliens

Psalm 94:1–6, Psalm 146:9; Jeremiah 22:3, Jeremiah 49:11; Zechariah 7:10

The weak

Psalm 41:1, Psalm 72:13, Psalm 82:3

Believers' responsibilities towards those vulnerable to exploitation

To pray for them

Psalm 82:3

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

To care and provide for them

James 1:27

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Particular responsibilities towards the weak

Acts 20:35 See also 1 Thessalonians 5:14

In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Particular responsibilities for widows

Acts 6:1–6; 1 Timothy 5:3–16; James 1:27

Particular responsibilities towards orphans

James 1:27

Particular responsibilities towards the poor and needy

Proverbs 22:9 See also Matthew 6:2–3, Matthew 19:16–21; Luke 19:8; Acts 4:34–35, Acts 9:36, Acts 10:2; Romans 15:25–27

A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

Examples of exploitation

2 Samuel 23:15–17 David; Matthew 23:15 the Pharisees; Acts 8:18–23 Simon Magus