Hello dear friends
Today, let’s look at the one truth that connects us all:
The rich and the poor meet together in this—
Yahweh is the Maker of them all.
— Proverbs 22:2
The wise king makes an interesting observation about these two groups of people in society.
The first group he calls the rich, symbolic not only of economic class but also of nobility and notability. These are kings and queens, princes and noblemen of society. They are people of high repute and are considered top of the class.
On the other end are people the author calls poor. This poverty is not just in monetary terms. It refers to a lack or being in a place of need. These are people who rank lower in reputation, possession, notability, and fame in society.
It is important to note that this kind of division between groups of people is very relative. The degree to which one is considered rich or poor makes their status variable. A leader of a small province might be very authoritative in provincial circles but still considered poor when sitting at the king’s table because, in that circle, they are the least and are lacking. Similarly, while a king may appear to be on top in their own nation, they might be considered the poorest when sitting at a table with other greater kings.
Another important observation is that these two groups, the rich and the poor, are actually symbiotic. One cannot exist without the other. The rich need the working class to generate their wealth, and the working class need the rich for employment. This is the world’s view on these two groups of people.
Before God, both groups fall under the same category, namely, the image bearers of God. This is emphasized by God condemning the murder of innocent people because they bear His image:
Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man.
— Genesis 9:6
God places intrinsic value on human life because it is made by His hand. This is why Scripture repeatedly condemns the mistreatment of the lower class:
He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself
Or who gives to the rich will only come to lack.
— Proverbs 22:16Her heads pronounce judgment for a bribe,
And her priests instruct for a price,
And her prophets divine for money.
Yet they lean on Yahweh saying,
“Is not Yahweh in our midst?
Evil will not come upon us.”
— Micah 3:11
Even Jesus Himself condemns the mistreatment of those considered to be in the lower class of society. He specifically addresses this concerning the scribes who devour widows’ houses:
“Beware of the scribes, who want to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, and best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
— Luke 20:46-47
King Solomon’s observation that the rich and the poor are both created by the hand of God contradicts society’s view of the separation between them. Mistreatment towards the poor is often seen as justified because of their social class, while the exaltation of the rich is justified because they are perceived as a superior class. However, Scripture teaches that both groups are created by the hand of God and fall under His total authority.
James rebukes partiality in the church and makes a related statement about the rich and the poor:
Listen, my beloved brothers: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
— James 2:5
James essentially says that if one is in a position that society considers poor, it is by God’s ordination, and society should not show partiality against them.
We must understand that God ordains all that comes to pass and that those in a specific economic class should glorify God in their situation. We ought to glorify God in our treatment of them.
We should also understand that whatever social class we are in, we need to have contentment in our current economic status and trust God to ordain an economic class according to His divine will.
Granted, everyone must work hard to earn a living, but let us not justify the mistreatment of those who are less well off than ourselves because we are of a higher class.
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
— James 2:8-9
I pray this proverb reminds us to review our treatment of those who are richer than ourselves and those who are poorer than us.
May the God of peace be with us,
Paul
Leave a Reply