“Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1) This complaint is heard frequently throughout the Psalms and Bible. The reason for this is because “the wicked man hunts down the weak (pursues and persecutes the poor), who are caught in the schemes he devises.” (Psalm 10:2) Never has this been truer than today.
For instance, many of the poor, elderly, sick and afflicted in America live in trailer and RV parks. This has been true for many years. But these trailer and RV parks are changing. The rich are buying massive trailers and RVs, 40-60 feet long, loaded with every luxurious amenity. These RVs cost $250,000 to $500,000. — What was once the last refuge for the poor, elderly, and physically afflicted, is now being taken over by the rich. — Once the wealthy move into these parks, they complain about the poor quality of the RVs and trailers of the less fortunate, who are able to escape homelessness in those parks. Consequently, to ameliorate their higher paying park visitors, RV parks across the country are setting a limit to how old a trailer can be before being allowed to stay in these parks. The poor who live in much older and smaller trailers, who are living on hardly anything and just barely staying above homelessness, must leave. But where do they go? Many end up trying to park and live on the streets. These get parking tickets they cannot pay. Their RVs are confiscated. And they end up in jail with an arrest record. 
It is literally becoming against the law to be poor. This is the age-old story and example of how the rich persecute the poor. But God does not consider the poor to be no value. He loves them with all the love in his heart. And he promises to judge those who in their pride look down upon them and make their lives even harder.
The bite of riches frequently poisons the hearts and minds of those who have the means to live much better lifestyles than their less fortunate neighbors. They even have slogans like: “The one who has the most toys when he dies wins!” That is their source of confidence and pride. It is what makes them think they are better than the poor. But we have schoolteachers, retired and active military, struggling families and senior citizens who need affordable places to live. They cannot afford the lifestyle of the affluent who are traveling around the nation in vehicles that are more expensive than any average home.
Few Americans realize that the majority of “homeless people” have jobs. But they cannot afford a place to live, other than their car, truck, or RV. If communities have a problem with too many poor but employed, they must have affordable RV parks. In San Diego County, where I live, RV parks are being reserved only for RVs made since 2010. Or, they are being torn down and replaced with expensive condos. Read Here.
One solution that some cities are implementing are Safe Parking areas. (Link) These are usually empty lots that have some minimal security, lights, and portable toliets.
“If anyone is poor among you 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. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)
Mark Baird https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbaird/
