It is no coincidence that the hypocrites of the church were at the same time oppressing the poor and mocking that which is sacred. There is a connection between these concepts as described in Proverbs, 'He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker', and 'whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker' (Prov 14:31; 17:5). This principle is most beautifully encapsulated in the words of the Lord. He taught very clearly that our treatment of the poor will be accounted to us as if it were our treatment of the Savior himself. Therefore, to mock the poor is to mock the Maker.
'Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.' (Matt 25:41-45)