Posted on 09/14/2020 4:46:07 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Proverbs 14:21).
What does God expect from Christians in dealing with the rich and the poor? James gives the answer.
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:1-10).
We are to respect the rich and the poor regardless of their income or wealth. As to the rich, it isn’t how much you make, but how much are you willing to live right? It isn’t how wealthy you are, but how much you are right with God.
A lot of churches look at rich people as great gets because of what they can do for the church financially. Rich folks have generally damaged more churches than they have helped, because they think they can buy a voice in the church’s management with their money. Rich people feel that their larger donation gives them a larger voice—but our churches are congregational, and everyone has an equal voice. Too many preachers practice a “tiptoe through the tithers” because they know who are paying the bills. Pretty soon those are the folks that call the shots.
It won’t be long before the Lord isn’t running the church, or His Word, or the pastors, but the tithers. Bible-believing churches say that if folks want to be a blessing and a help to the church, come on and join us—but if you are not of that mind and heart—don’t join because you will be leaving soon.
We are better off doing right and having little, than to live wrong and have a lot. “The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish” (Proverbs 14:11). This idea that we are living under grace, and not the Law is crazy when it comes to these things. You might be under grace when it comes to heaven, but you are not under grace to live like the Devil. Your body isn’t under grace. Your attitude isn’t under grace. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1).
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