Wednesday: Handbook for the Poor
Read Proverbs 29:13. What is being discussed here?
The poor and the rich are equal (Prov. 29:13, NKJV). The image of light used in this proverb places this issue in perspective of Creation. Both the rich and the poor have been created by God (Prov. 22:2).
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
They both enjoy the gift of life, and the sun shines upon both. Just as the rich have been warned about how they treat the poor, the poor are to love even their oppressors, which could in some cases be the rich (Matt. 5:44-45).
What is the message of Proverbs 28:3?
The poor have the same duties as the rich (Prov. 28:3). Poverty should not be an excuse for iniquity. The fact that you may have been oppressed does not give you license to oppress others. Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant who oppresses the one poorer than himself shows that this reaction, although unexpected on the part of the poor (whom one might think would be more sympathetic to other poor people), is not unusual (Matt. 18:22–35). In Proverbs 28:3, the image of the rain, which usually is a blessing, turns out to be a destructive torrent; this imagery illustrates the abnormality of that behavior and the disappointment it brings.
What is the message of Proverbs 28:6?
The righteous poor are better than the wicked rich (Prov. 28:6). According to traditional wisdom, the righteous person is not supposed to be poor, for poverty is supposedly the just punishment for the lazy (Prov. 24:34). Yet, the reality of life is more complex. The poor may be the victims of injustice or of circumstances beyond their control. This can often be the case. Nevertheless, the scale of values defended by the book of Proverbs is clear and unambiguous. Righteousness is more important than riches, and success is not a foolproof indicator of righteousness.
What can we do when tempted to compromise our values for material gain? How can we protect ourselves from doing something like this, which is easier to do than we realize?
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Why is there still poverty in this world?
We are told that if all the resources where shared equally everyone would have enough.
Why don't they just get a job? Well in South Africa we have an unemployment rate of 25%! What can you do if you can't get a job?
Why is 50% of the world's wealth owned by 1% of the population?
Why is it getting worse?
I believe it is a sign of the times. If people believe there is no God then anything is permissible. If people believe that everything evolved based on chance and natural selection and survival of the fittest, then if I can have more because I am better why share with others the fittest must survive and the rest disappear.
The Word warns us:
I believe there is poverty because of a lack of charity in the majority of people because they are not conformed to the character of the LORD. Time and again we see the Scriptures telling us, Jesus saw the crowd or the individual in need and He felt compassion for them and He did something to help them.
I can't solve world wide poverty but I can make a difference to at least someone.
Shirley- I appreciate your statement, "I can't solve world wide poverty but I can make a difference to at least someone". God has led me to volunteer at a nursing home in my community. I enjoy visiting with the residents because God is being glorified. I loveGod so much that I am willing to be used by Him.
today lesson teaches us significant obligation in our lives, since we are living with poor and rich people together we must be equal regardless of our economic status,.and also we should not even dare to compromise our faith for merely material things because GOD has beautiful plan to us ,never give up my friend,
I like the point where being rich or poor is not a reflection of our righteousness. God does not judge us differently because of our financial position, but rather we all judged equally. We can feel sorry for ourselves for not having what others have but that is no excuse for us to behave disrespectful to those who have much. It has been said that it is more difficult to witness to the rich because they have everything, however, God's love can show kindness without wanting anything in return.
It's not the occasional good deed or wrong but rather the overall direction which determines our influence. We all make mistakes and no sincere individual gets it all wrong. Progressive living puts a claim on the promise of God's grace and learns to be motivated by a higher principle than that of monetary gains. Blessed are those who have this knowledge of their great need before our loving Father.
Do not take from the poor more than he has to give
Undimmed focus on Jesus from the break of day to the end sufficient to realise that we're only saved by grace and by no goodness of our own! Just then may we see others less fortunate at any point the way Christ looks at them, the way He looked and looks at us.
In today's world of materialism, where social classes are predominantly decided by one's net wealth.It is so much relieving to get reassurance from the world of God that in his eyes the standard remains the same, we are all equal.
The problems of inequality and poverty are are severe especially in the developing countries.The gap between the haves and havenots is always widening.
The teaching of the bible is that poverty cannot be be entirely eradicated: Dueteronomy 15:11 "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land" and even Jesus said the same when Judas objected to Mary the pouring of perfume on Jesus as a waste a this could assist the poor Matthew 26:11 "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."
As Christians we are to help the less priviledge, wherever opportunity avails, but we must clearly understand that poverty cannot be eradicated. Inequaliy remains even among the first world countries, although to lesser extent than third world countries.
The poor are also to avoid the temptation of treating the rich with resentment usually coming from jealous.They also should learn to accept the rich a their brothers.And the point which remains is that our economic statuses are not a barometer for our spirituality. Some rich people follow God whole heartedly, time will fail us to talk of Job and Abraham.
The fact that we are all sinners by nature equalises us to one common need and that is the need for salvation through Jesus Christ,and as such its not what we have or possess that make us worthy before God but its the merits of the cross through Jesus Christ.
I am so thankful that accepting Jesus does not cost anything. Because I do not make enough money to purchase it. Jesus is available to everyone who wants to receive Him as Lord and Savior in his/her life. One of the reasons why I love Him so much is because He is always available to me day or night without an appointment. Rich or poor can call upon Him at any time. Since God does not separate the rich from the poor in regards to salvation, we should not put people in categories. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ (equal in inheritance).
The following verses come to mind when I try to answer the lesson's final two questions
Mt 6:19-21 (NIV) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do no break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1Tim 6:18,19 (NIV) 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.