RICH vs. POOR: One of the most hotly debated issues of our time is poor vs. rich. It is clear from the rhetoric, many today hold extreme views on this topic, especially in the context of political discussions, often expressed via high-pitched emotions ranging from intense hatred and anger directed at the wealthy to despising the poor. The Bible helps to shed light on this topic and to bring some needed balance: God is Creator, Maker of all things, the Great Sustainer and Provider - the true source of life and of everything needed to live. So poor or rich, we are ALL the work of God’s hands. Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you...” Matthew 26:11. In God’s eyes, the poor have a special divine purpose: “God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him.” James 2:5 Nowhere is it taught in the Scripture that being wealthy is wrong or sinful; or that is sinful or wrong to be poor. From birth and throughout His time on earth, Jesus chose to identify Himself with the poor; it is obvious He loved them. But He also loved the wealthy (example: the rich young ruler). And at the end of His life, after His death on the cross, he was buried in a rich man’s tomb. The Bible says of Jesus, “... though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 The Bible instructs to “remember the poor.” If someone becomes poor and unable to support themselves, help them... do not turn away from them, shut our ears to them, avoid or shun them... but welcome them to live among us as neighbors; invite them to share our food; scatter gifts and give presents of food to them; make contributions to them; loan money to them without charging interest; leave “gleanings” of our harvests for them; weep with and grieve for them; raise them from the dust; lift them from the ash heap; secure justice for them; uphold their cause; pray for them; and preach the good news to them. In remembering the poor, the Scriptures teach that we should take great care NOT to show partiality towards them; dishonor or disrespect them; try to lord it over them; exploit them; use them for selfish gain; exact a profit from them (as Judas did); enslave them; overly tax them; or rob them of their dignity. And the poor are instructed to put their trust in God, not man, as their true source and provider; if someone becomes poor, they should sell some of their property; be willing to work to feed themselves and their families; not to expect of others what are they are capable of doing for themselves; not to lean on the aid of others indefinitely, but to strive to get back on their feet as quickly as possible; and then when they are able, to help others less fortunate (example: poor widow in Bible).
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:32:18 +0000
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