Rich Man, Poor Man

(Proverbs 22:16 KJV)  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Verse 7 says the rich will rule over the poor.  That is a fact of life.  In a free society the names of the rich are constantly changing.  The one who is rich today may not be tomorrow.  The one who is poor today, through hard work and a few breaks, may be the rich of tomorrow.  Bill Gates was not born wealthy.  The children of the wealthy are famous for squandering what their parents built up.  We have a lot of freedom to pursue our dreams.  The problem with our sinful natures is that we take freedom and abuse it.  God is not angry at the rich but gets back at anyone who “oppresses” (6231) the “poor” (1800b).  The rich are in a position to do that.

Notice how this oppression is defined, you oppress to “make much” (7235a) for yourself.  Believers in Jesus are not luxury liners cruising for their own satisfaction.  We would build a business to provide jobs and produce a better life for others.  When you consider yourself too important then you don’t mind taking advantage of others. 

So?  How is this applied?  By giving good quality for a fair price.  By being willing to pay a fair price.  By being honest and open in your contracts.  By fulfilling your obligations and commitments.  Followers of Jesus Christ can get rich but they must do it in an honest way.  In Hell your paper money will burn and your gold will melt.  No wonder you can’t take it with you.