Being Poor

BETTER TO BE OF A LOWLY SPIRIT WITH THE POOR THAN TO DIVIDE THE SPOIL WITH THE PROUD. Proverbs 16.19 (LITV).

In any society we have the poor, the middle class and the rich. Mostly, each group keeps to itself. The poor by nature are humble. But the rich tend to be proud and arrogant! This may be the reason the wise King Solomon said, “It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud”. It is good for the rich to mix with the poor. They will know the misery of the poor and be grateful for their riches! But often it is to the detriment of the poor that they mix with the rich. It doesn't make them rich but they tend to imitate the rich. They even begin to grumble about their poverty and envy the rich.

When children make friends and keep company with the rich, it only spoils those poor kids. Even adults are ensnared by keeping company with the rich and proud. Their association with the rich causes them to pretend to be rich! The end result is tragic. King Solomon knew this well enough to counsel us not to be tempted to do it!

There is nothing wrong with being rich. But the rich must obey the Word, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Tim 6.18,19). The rich should always remember what the scripture says, “But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower” (Jas 1.10).

It is by sharing their wealth generously and with a kind heart that the rich nations and people can help out the poor of this world. Nations that are poor are sick and suffering too, from diverse causes. The poor nations can never rise up and take care of themselves unless the rich and becoming-rich care to share their wealth. While billionaires and millionaires can give of their abundance, all of us who have enough and more to meet our needs and enjoy life must not forget our obligations. Begin to give to any one in need and you will begin to enjoy giving! God loves a cheerful giver (2 C0r 9.7).

While there are millions who are poor in the world, the good thing is that even their lot is improving! Thank God for it. But the poor on their part should not feel pity for themselves. They should be proud and confident. They should stand on their own feet and trust God. God loves the poor. Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor. It was the economically poor and the humble that received Him. The Bible says, “The Lord raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap” (Psa 113.7). King David testified, “This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles” (Psa 34.6). Dear believer, to have God as your helper is all that you need! Without God you are nothing and what you have doesn't satisfy!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, You were rich but You became poor for my sake. Let me not envy the rich or try to imitate them. Help me to better myself with Your help while being content with what I have at any given time. Amen.