Proverbs 10 (Is)

"The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their calamity." Proverbs 10:15

I've heard all my life the complaint that "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer". It's true in a sense. Money makes money. If you get a little money and make a series of wise choices with it, that money will have little money babies and so on. It's financial common sense.

The rich can rest in and rely on their wealth. The poor have no internal means to get out of the pit and usually just stay poor and eventually end up in huge amounts of crippling debt. The poor really only get poorer relative to the rich. One group is growing, changing, moving and the other group is wallowing and stagnant.

OK, now that I've offended the poor, let me offend the rich.

The rich depend on their wealth to get them through everything. They don't need God. Need healing? Money will buy the best medical care.

Need anything at all? Money. Wealthy societies slowly abandon God because generation after generation are taught (unintentionally) that the way to happiness is through wealth and success. The problem is, God doesn't stand for being abandoned and those who forget God will always end up feeling the pain of being without Him.

On the other hand, the poor have no internal method of climbing out of their poverty. They can't help themselves so they are far more willing to trust in a God that provides hope in the life after this life. This is why poor people, the uneducated, the hopeless and helpless can be reached far more easily than the rich. These people have not falsely learned to trust in themselves and in worldly riches.

As Christians we should not strive to be poor or expect poverty to drive us closer to God. God clearly intends Christians to be models for the world. Christians should be good stewards and hard working people who take responsibility for their family. Read: Ephesians 4:28,

1 Thessalonians 5:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, etc. Christians should do their best, "as unto the Lord", let God pass out the rewards as He pleases, and thank Him for what he has given us however much it is.

If you're rich, realize that it's God wealth and generously give as he leads. If you're poor, know that there is a special place in God's heart for the poor and the downtrodden and he will faithfully provide.

Trust not in wealth because it can burn, fade, fail, and be stolen.

Trust in God who is the only one who can decide our ultimate fate.