Legal Theft

(Proverbs 22:23 KJV)  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

In the NASB you have to go to the marginal reading to get the parallel that the KJV has out in the open.  The KJV says that God will “spoil” (6906) those who “spoil” the poor.  The NASB uses two words in English, “take” and “rob”, to convey the same idea. 

There are many ways to rob people.  Some are legal.  You can write a contract that takes advantage of the unwary.  You can establish schools that don’t teach.  You can offer welfare programs that weaken instead of strengthen.  You can promise and then squirm out on a technicality.

As God’s children we are not allowed to take that route.  If people are struggling we are to be supportive not a big sucking sound on their lives.  Jesus expressed it in the positive and the negative.  The negative seems more in tune with this verse.

(Matthew 25:45 KJV)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

So?  Go forth and do good.  Do it because God has worked a miracle in your life and you want to glorify Him, not because you are keeping score.