阅读经文 

马利亚的颂歌中所说的是一个极大的颠覆和搅动！狂傲的人降卑，卑贱的人升高。饥饿的得饱，富足的空手回去。你听了之后有没有被吓了一跳呢？

有些人会感到好奇。这是否意味着神有所偏爱？难道神爱穷人多过爱富人？神岂不是爱每一个人的吗？

神清楚表明，祂爱穷人并非常关心他们。圣经中有数以百计段的经文，证明神关心贫穷和受欺压的人、以及祂计划要去扶助他们。

事实上，神既爱穷人也爱富人——但不是因为他们贫穷或富足。神爱他们，是因为他们都是祂的儿女，祂希望每一个人都活出丰盛生命。

神希望穷人能够充分地活出他们的身份和使命。祂专注在他们身上，就像消防员专注扑灭正在吞噬房子的火焰那样。神应许必定帮助穷人和致力消除他们的痛苦。

神也呼召富人完完全全地活出他们理想的人格。祂警告他们要避开贪婪的危机——即过分积存财富的试探和漠视或苦待穷人的罪。这些恶行妨碍他们跟随神和加剧了穷人的贫困。这些警告其实表明了神对他们的恩典。

神爱我们每一个人，祂呼召我们按祂至高圣善的治理生活。这就是我们通往平安（shalom）的途径。

Mary’s song speaks of a great reversal and disruption! The proud are brought low, and the humble poor are lifted up. Hungry folks are filled, and the rich are emptied. Does that scare you?

Some people have wondered, Does this mean that God has favorites? Does God love the poor more than the rich? God loves everyone, right?
God makes clear that he loves the poor and is deeply concerned about them. Hundreds of Scripture passages testify to God’s concern for the poor and oppressed and his intentions to uphold their cause.

Actually, God loves both the poorandthe rich—but not because they are poor or rich. God loves them because they are his children and he wants everyone to flourish.

God wants the poor to be able to live into the fullness of their identity and vocation. He focuses on them like a fire­fighter on a burning house. God promises to help the poor and relieve their suffering.

God calls the rich to the fullness of their humanity too. He warns them against the dangers of greed, the temptations of excessive wealth, and the sins of ignoring or abusing the poor. These vices interfere with discipleship and contribute to poverty. These warnings are expressions of grace.

God loves all of us and calls us to live in obedience to his ­sovereign rule. That’s how we get to shalom.