Eld Ko Swee Chay

The LORD is the Maker of the Rich and Poor

Proverbs 22:2 “The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.”

Introduction

Inequality and poverty are issues faced globally. These are topics that continually attract debate and that keep politicians and governments busy throughout human history. These are topics that receive deep and sustained interest by government leaders, policy makers, academics and journalists. Proverbs 22:2 gives the children of God a summary of the biblical perspective to this important subject.

The book of Proverbs was written for the people of Israel, i.e. God’s chosen people. This means that in the nation of Israel, there will be poor people just as there will be rich people. Both the rich and the poor are made by God, they live together in Israel and they exist together in society in Israel. By way of application, this is the case among Christians and in churches even today.

1. The Rich and Poor Meet Together

The first half of Proverbs 22:2 says: “The rich and the poor meet together”. The word “meet” means the rich and poor live together, and need one another. Holman Study Bible explains, “To meet means to have something in common. There is no class structure in God’s eyes. ”Other commentaries suggest physical meeting together: meet in society, in church, at judgment seat, in grave, in hell, in heaven etc. For example, Matthew Henry Study Bible explains: “At the bar of God’s justice, all are guilty before God. And they meet at the throne of God’s grace, the poor are as welcome there as the rich. There is the same Christ, the same scripture, the same Spirit, the same covenant of promises, for them both. There is the same heaven for poor saints that there is for rich.”

In the order of God, the rich and the poor live together, and are mutually helpful to each other, they co-exist and are dependent on one another and they cannot do without each other.

The “rich and the poor meet together” means they:

• belong to the same creation: God wants His children to live together in unity;
• have the same body design: the same number of bones and muscles, nerves and sinews, subject to the same diseases and infections, pain and mental anguish, and common suffering, bereavements, sorrow, and death;
• are all alike, and without exception, sinners saved by grace through faith;
• receive a common salvation, there is only one gospel for both the rich and poor;
• meet at the grave, the judgment, in eternity;
• are placed together by our common Maker in the same nation and the same church;
• have one common and same Creator, same Lord, same Saviour and same Judge, which is the Father of all.

Indeed, all men are equal. Contrary to the world’s view, it is human commonality and equality from God’s design and perspective.

2. The LORD is the Maker of them all

The second half of Proverbs 22:2 says, “The LORD is the maker of them all.” Though it is a simple statement, for we all know from the book of Genesis that God created the heaven and earth and all things including all human beings, it gives a profound declaration that God is not only the Maker of all mankind as man in His own image and likeness (Gen 1:26), He is the Maker of all as rich and poor. Both the poor and the rich are in the order of God’s providence. This speaks of the Divine power and the sovereign will of God. This speaks of the idea of ultimate impartiality in the LORD. Whether man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, regardless of family background, education level, profession and social status, each is of the LORD, all are sons and daughters of the most High God. Both the rich and the poor are equally precious and equally important in His sight.

It is the LORD Jehovah who makes both rich and poor, as Hannah prayed: “The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.” (1 Sam 2:7). Job knew that both rich and poor were made alike in the womb by the hand of God and there ought not to be any discrimination: “Did not he that made me in the womb make him[referring to his servants]? And did not one fashion us in the womb?” (Job 31:15) “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 34:19).

God gives riches to whom He pleases, and poverty to whom He pleases; rich and poor are according to order of divine providence. The same LORD makes them what they are, and could at His pleasure reverse their conditions, making the rich poor, and making the poor rich. The rich should take heed and tremble, knowing that God can reduce them to poverty in a minute. Look at the example of Job. Within a short time, he lost all his possessions, servants and children. The poor should not despair, knowing that God can easily make them rich if He so desires. Think of the example of Joseph, who from being a slave and prisoner was elevated to become ruler in Egypt. Also, 1 Sam 2:8 says: “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory….”

Why does God make one poor and another rich? Answer: He is the LORD; He is greater than man (Job 33:12), His thoughts are not our thoughts and He does according to His own way and His sovereign will with men (Isa 55:8-9). Both the rich and the poor are made by God for a purpose. The poor experience the help of others, so that they will learn to be thankful. The rich are given the privilege to help others, so that they experience how it is better and more blessed to give than to receive (Act 20:35). God can teach the poor humility, contentment, patience, and faith through their poverty. And He can also teach the rich the necessity of humility, kindness, generosity, compassion, love, and thankfulness.

Let us ask ourselves the following questions which may influence one’s economic state:

• Who chose our parents?
• Who chose our nationality at the time of birth?
• Who chose our IQ, EQ and abilities?
• Who chose our school and university?
• Who chose our job, career or business?
• Who chose our spouse?

God is the one who determines all these that lead to the financial condition even before we were born. It is important that we must understand and humbly acknowledge the sovereignty of God in these factors. “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.” (Pro 3:16).

The unequal state is the appointment of His providence. Man meets together by nature as equals; in the eyes of the world as unequal. The rich and the poor have a common bond, that is, the LORD is the maker of them all. One important point to note is we must look at God’s Word from the Divine standpoint, from God’s view, not man’s view. Man would say: it is unfair, why are some very rich and others are dirt poor, the rich and poor are divided. It is the will of God that there should be distinctions of rich and poor in the world, in any society, in every church and in every family. This is the appointment of His providence. The Lord is the maker of them all.

Matthew Henry commented on the ordination of wealth and poverty: “God makes some rich that they may be charitable to the poor; and others poor that they may be serviceable to the rich; and they have need of one another. He makes some poor to exercise their patience, and contentment, and dependence on God; and others rich to exercise their thankfulness and benevolence. All stand upon the same level before God.”

As believers, it is important for us to have a right view of it: both are useful, important, absolutely necessary to each other’s welfare and support, and both are accountable to God for the manner in which they conduct themselves in those duties of life which God has respectively assigned them.

3. How should the Rich and the Poor behave?

We have learned that God is the One who determines who is rich and who is poor, and it does not matter who is rich or poor materially speaking, for the LORD is the One who decides. What matters to God is for both parties to behave themselves rightly according to the teaching of God’s holy and sacred Word.

3.1 The Rich

• The rich should not be proud and become self-confident and arrogant. Instead they should always acknowledge God for all His goodness and consider themselves as dependent on Him. David said “Both riches and honour come of thee.” (1 Chr 29:12).
• The rich should not forget God and that God has given them so much. Take heed of the warning in God’s Word concerning this real danger of forgetting God when one is rich: “Houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”(Deu 6:11-12, also Deu 8:18).
• The rich should not oppress and exploit the poor. Doing so will incur the severe judgment of the LORD: “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” (Pro 22:16). “Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: for the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of them that spoiled them.” (Pro 22:22-23).
• The rich should care for the poor and be willing to distribute of their abundance to the needs of the poor, to aid them in their necessities: “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth his bread to the poor.” (Pro 22:9). Read also 1 Tim 6:18.
• The rich should always remember what our Lord Jesus said, that it is more blessed to give than to receive: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).
• The rich should not put their trust in their wealth: “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” (Pro 11:28). Read also 1 Tim 6:17.

If you are rich, thank the Lord for His grace, mercy and goodness. Heed His reminder to be humble, and seriously consider whether you are living for yourselves or for God.

3.2 The Poor

• The poor should be contented with their state, as being allotted to them by the LORD, who can alter it when He thinks fit. The poor should not murmur and complain that God has given them so little, for to do so is a sin against God. Instead learn from the example of the Apostle Paul: “for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phi 4:11b).
• The poor should trust in the Lord to provide for their every need: “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” (Ps 34:10).
• The poor should never envy the rich: “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” (Pro 14:30). Instead they should be willing to honour and rejoice with the rich for God’s good favour upon them.
• Always remember the Words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mat 6:33).

If you are poor, it is helpful to remember that there are many who are poorer than you can ever imagine. Thank the Lord for His bounty towards you, and put all your hopes and trust in Him. Our heavenly Father feeds the fowls of the air and clothes the lilies and grass of the field, thus surely He knows the needs of His own children and will provide for them (Mat 6:25-34).

4. God’s Wordto both the Poor and the Rich

• Be content with what God has given us in order to avoid falling into temptation and succumbing to foolish and hurtful lusts, whose end is pain and sorrows:“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Tim 6:6-10).
• Seek righteousness and a good name rather than riches: “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” (Pro 11:4). “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather silver and gold.” (Pro 22:1).
• Know that true wealth lies in humility and the fear of God. “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” (Pro 22:4).
• Know that riches are temporal; nothing in this world is secure and permanent, therefore do not covet and work for riches:“Labour not to be rich: cease from thy own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”(Pro 23:4-5). Read also Mat 6:19-20.
• Beware of the danger of the extremes of riches and poverty, pray for a middle state:“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient(necessary)for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” (Pro 30:8-9).
• Be aware of the deceitfulness of riches. Jesus said “…. the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (Mat 13:22).
• In the house of God there should be no respect of persons at all for economic advantage, for respect of persons is a sin. (Jam 2:1-9).
• Do not covet. The life of man is more than the abundance of what he owns on earth. It is always his walk with the Lord that matters most.“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15)

Conclusion

The LORD is the maker of them all, which means that He is the One who determines who is rich and who is poor according to His sovereign will. There will always be rich and poor believers in the Church, but it does not matter who is rich or who is poor materially speaking, for the LORD is the One who decides. Both are made by God for a purpose and are equally important and precious in His sight. Therefore, both parties should behave themselves correctly according to God’s Word. The poor must not be discontented and envy the rich, the rich must not be proud and self-confident and despise the poor. The rich have obligations and duties with respect to the poor, and the poor with respect to the rich. They are to love and help one another, according to God Law’s for the glory of God.

God is not a respecter of persons and He is not interested at all in the financial condition of a person. True wealth lies in humility and the fear of God. Truly, what God wants from us are spiritual things: to walk closely with Him; to obey and to do His Word; to live a holy, godly and righteous life; to serve Him faithfully; to be a holy and godly witness and testimony for Him and to honour and glorify His name.

The rich and poor believers are equal when they stand before God and when they come before His throne of grace and mercy to worship Him. They are equal when both stand before the judgment seat of the Lord to give an account of all things done on earth.

Riches only have its place in this world, but have no value in heaven. May God help each one of us to be contented with the conditions we are in, and to know that all that we are and all that we have come from the heavenly Father, and to use all that we have to the glory of God’s name. AMEN.