Scripture
Vs 2 The rich and the poor meet together;
the Lord is the Maker of them all.
Vs 16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Vs 22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
or crush the afflicted at the gate,
Vs 23 for the Lord will plead their cause
and rob of life those who rob them.
Vs 27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
why should your bed be taken from under you?
Vs 29 Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.
Observation
A recurring theme in this proverb is the treatment of the “poor”.
What stands out, in particular, is the author’s advocation for the “poor”.
The word that comes to mind is … “Dignity”.
The poor, like all people, should be granted dignity!
They meet with the rich “together” … same status as everyone else!
The Lord in Maker of them “all” … same status as everyone else!
The Lord will “plead their cause” … same status as everyone else!
Application
Do I treat everyone the same regardless of economic status?
This is a very big deal to God!
And Jesus made it a staple, recurring theme of His teaching.
But Jesus didn’t just teach it … He lived it!
In fact, one of the primary things that drove the “elites” crazy about Jesus was the way He lived amongst the “poor”, and “downtrodden”, and “unclean”.
Everyone I encounter deserves Dignity!
Why? … “The Lord is Maker of all!”
And He didn’t just “make” them … He made them “in His image”!
This is the highest form of Dignity!
And even better … Jesus says when I engage with them … I engage with Him!
This is astounding!
Do I want to see Jesus in the world and in my life?
Do I question Jesus’ participation in and around me in the day to day?
Perhaps, I need to slow down … look around … see who God is placing in my path that I need to pay attention to … engage with … relate to!
If the Lord will “plead the cause” of the “poor” …
Shouldn’t I?!
If a good “worker” will “stand before kings” …
Certainly, I should not pass them by!
When Jesus reconciled me to Him …
He reconciled me to His Body here on earth, as well.
I must see and live this in the day to day!
Prayer
Thank you, Father, again for the Gift of Your Word!
Help me, Spirit, live out the Wisdom.
Help me, Jesus, live with others the way You lived with them.
When I see others, may see You
And dignify them
In Jesus name
Amen