Equal Value

Read Proverbs 22

The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.

Proverbs 22:2

In the minds of most people throughout history, riches have been the sign of God’s blessing while poverty reveals God’s curse. According to Solomon, however, the rich and poor are on equal footing before God because God made them both. The wealth of rich people cannot get them any closer to God than poor people can get. And the poor person’s poverty is not a free ride to heaven. The thing that matters is the state of a person’s heart. In fact, Jesus explained that it is actually harder for the rich to enter God’s kingdom because they have a more difficult time understanding their need (Matthew 19:23).

Because God created both the rich and the poor, and because both have been infected by the curse of sinfulness on humanity, they both need the Savior. We are not to show favoritism either way but are to look on both the rich and poor as people whom Christ died to save.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Circumstances vary; God doesn’t.

Today, Lord, give me sensitivity to all people, regardless of their status, so that I might be able to tell them about you.