THE POOR

Some people are rich! Some people are poor! As strange as it may sound God has made them all: (Prov 22:2) “The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.” Everyone is under the care of God. Our God has concerns for all, regardless of their economic standing: (Prov 29:13) “The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.” Job who had been both rich and poor came to this conclusion: (Job 34:19) “How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.” Job realized that all people are the handiwork of God, therefore God show no partiality to the princes or to the poor. They are all equal in the sight of God. Does it really matter how rich you are? How many times have you heard it said, “You can’t take it with you?” I wonder if this saying did not come from Job. (Job 1:21) “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

A question that is of concern to anyone who is poor might be, “Why am I so poor?” There can be many answers to this question; we will look at a few from God’s Word. One answer might be slothfulness: (Prov 20:13) “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Yes, there are those who prefer to lie around and sleep rather than get up and go out and provide for themselves. Others may not sleep but instead they lie around and read books that add no knowledge of anything to say nothing about God’s will for their lives. Another reason some are poor is the company they keep: (Prov 28:19) “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.” A third reason some are poor could be drunkenness and gluttony: (Prov 23:21) “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” If you don’t believe this is true go to a city and look at those who suck and live from the wine bottle. Or you could even look in a small town and take notice of those who frequent the bars and taverns; if a larger portion of your income is spent on alcohol you no doubt are poor. Who can you blame for your poverty? Certainly not God; you only have yourself to blame! As Proverbs 20:13 says, “open your eyes.”

If you are poor and you have not brought your poverty upon yourself do not despair, there is hope: (Psa 9:18)^“For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.” We need to be mindful of heaven and eternity; there the faithful will all be taken care of by God! Jehovah God will not forget those who are faithful unto death [Revelation 2:10]. (Psa 69:33) “For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.” Talk to God about your situation; He will listen.

If you are poor don’t lose heart, God will deliver you: (Job 36:15) “He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.” God will help: (Psa 102:17) “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.” Again I would remind you to talk to God; indeed there is no one “who is like Him! (Psa 35:10)^“All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?”

What do you think? Is it possible to be poor and at the same time to be rich? We can be poor of worldly goods and at the same time be rich in faith: (James 2:5) “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” A word of advice; if you would like to lead someone to Jesus Christ I suggest going to the “poor” first! They will be much more receptive to the gospel, after all God has chosen them!