The Rich and the Poor
Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luke 1:53(MSG) The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold
Introduction: I welcome you all to another week of Speaking Scriptures. The Everlasting Father, the Wonderful God who has kept us and our family thus far will continue to do wonders in our lives and keep us to the end in Jesus name. I expect and wish that whoever has opportunity to read from this blog will share his/her experience in life and ask any question pertaining to Christian life and journey to eternity. God can use anyone to set people free from the enemy of our souls.
Today, let us look at the Rich sent away empty and the Poor filled with good things. This study will guide us in our Christian journey to eternal life in this perilous time.
The Rich.
In 1998, I was posted out with my wife to start a new parish as pastor -in -charge in a school at Omole phase 1 estate in Ogba. This is where you have the rich at different levels. Evangelism was an herculean task because getting to talk to the rich there about salvation is like trying to squeeze out water from stone. We were only able to easily reach out to the artisans with low income groups living in uncompleted buildings inside the estate.
I can now understand why the Scripture says that “the rich he hath sent empty away”. The Message version says “the callous rich were left out in the cold“
Who are the Rich? Does that mean a Christian will not be rich? Or only the poor that will be filled with good things? Why will the rich be sent empty away or left out in the cold? Whereas, Scriptures speak to Christians at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 8:9(NLT) You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Over the years, I have come to realise that just as there will be health problems associated with kwashiorkor in any child without balanced diet, so also will any Christian without balanced diet of God’s word have spiritual kwashiorkor.
Let us feed ourselves with balanced diet of God’s word so that we will not be fed by what we want to hear thereby be stunted in growth as Christians. Bible says;
1 Peter 2:2(NLT) Like new-born babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,
For example, It is impure to only crave for prosperity messages or poverty messages. This will never give full salvation experience to any child of God.
Let’s first look at the Rich from biblical perspective. The rich has a lot of money and valuable possessions. The truth is anyone without Christ and with a lot of money and valuable possessions will not see any reason for salvation that’s why they are referred to as callous rich by MSG version.
I want you to know that anyone without Christ is callous and regarded as a murderer because they will be judged as those who crucified Jesus Christ.
Matthew 27:23-25 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Blood of Jesus Christ avails for those who believe, accept and follow Him but same Blood will stand against those who reject Him. That’s why the names of those who reject Him will not be found in the Lamb’s Book of life.
Revelation 13:7-8(NLT) And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.
The rich are worldly and look at Christians as those that are being brainwashed and foolish people.
1 Corinthians 1:18(NLT) The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
The rich in this world trusts in riches which bring pride with confidence that they can get away with anything.
Proverbs 10:15a The rich man’s wealth is his strong city:...
Anyone that prospers without Christ is wicked in the sight of God and that is why judgement of death is placed upon whosoever that rejects Jesus Christ the only way to salvation from Devil’s bondage.
Do you know that there’s tendency to fall out of salvation when observing the rich without Christ who are considered wicked before God?
Hear the experience of a king, a type of Christian.
Psalm 73:2-3 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Whosoever that is not rich towards God and through Jesus Christ our Saviour is seen as a fool. Riches can come through worldly or earthly wisdom without wisdom from above. Whatever is possessed in unrighteousness and worldly wisdom is earthly and devilish.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Hear this story from the Master Himself and learn
Luke 12:16-21(NLT) Then he told them a story: A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops ’Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Are your aspirations to be rich is towards God or self-aggrandizement? Is your purpose to be wealthy is meant to show them or “pepper them” according to today’s parlance?May this parable of Jesus Christ minister life to our souls. The rich of this world cannot give their Treasures, Talent and Time to God for any reason. They prefer pleasures than being entangled with Christian fellowship.
Paul warned Timothy as these group of rich people are also among believers.
2 Timothy 3:1-2,4-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
When a young rich ruler had Encounter with Jesus and he desired to have eternal life. This rich man kept the laws from his youth, he thought keeping the laws can grant eternal life. Jesus told him one thing he was lacking
Matthew 19:21(NLT) Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
This rich young ruler went away sorrowful because it is humanly impossible for any rich person to follow Jesus and disregard riches.
Matthew 19:22(NLT) But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Hear the truth from Jesus the Word of God
Matthew 19:23-24(NLT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Does that mean a Christian will not be rich? Disciples of Jesus Christ who left everything to follow Jesus was surprised that it is difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. Look at their reaction and question
Matthew 19:25(NLT) The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus answered the question as Scriptures speak Matthew 19:26(NLT)
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
We can actually be rich and have all that is needed as Christians NOT all that is wanted. Philippians 4:19(NLT) And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Any Christian that goes after what is wanted will fall into Satan’s trap
1 Timothy 6:9(NLT) But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
Devil will quickly kill Christian craving for what he/she wants, mostly it is spiritual death first, so as to be cut-off from God. Such rich and spiritually dead Christians are the most difficult to minister God’s word to; they will complete every Scripture verse you’re quoting to them as the right path. In fact, many are sponsors and founders of churches now.
Read Jesus’s letter to spiritually dead Christians in Sardis
Revelation 3:1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead”.
We can be godly, righteous, having right standing with God and be rich. The riches will always come with contentment as Paul told Timothy
1 Timothy 6:6(NLT) Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
That kind of riches or great wealth will be directly proportional to your spiritual growth. This means that God who knows you more than you know yourself will only prosper you in proportion to your spiritual growth in the knowledge of Him.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
There was one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ who was rich.
Matthew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
God knows as well as yourself if your riches are towards God or worldly and acquired through falsehoods. There’s always opportunity to make right whatever that is wrong while we are still living if we will move against all odds to come before Jesus truthfully. Learn from a rich sinner called Zacchaeus who made his life right with God.
Luke 19:1-9 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
The Rich that are sent away empty do not have time for the things of God or service to God. Their hearts are towards the things of this world and how to get what they want at all cost. In Matthew 22, Jesus gave a parable about the Rich that were invited to the king’s banquet but rejected the invitation due to worldly activities. The king turned the invitation to beggars on the streets and they all came and were honoured while the rich were sent away.
Matthew 22:1-6,8-9(NLT) Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’
After the banquet was full, the king observed someone whose clothes betrayed him and must have earlier rejected the king’s invitation for worldly activities and was sent out. Matthew 22:11-13(NLT) “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
In all your possessions, are you putting on garments of righteousness at the Lord’s table?
The Poor.
Who is being referred to as the poor? Are all the poor people going to heaven? Someone that is poor is considered to have very little money and few possessions. You will observe the poor at various parties with nylon bags packing remnants of food and drinks. Some of us look down on them while some have pity. The poor put shame aside and humbly come to your party without invitation to collect crumbs. Unlike the rich, the poor will never reject invitation to banquet because they are hungry.
Luke 1:53a(MSG) The starving poor sat down to a banquet; Example was Lazarus in Luke 16:20-21
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Remember both rich man and Lazarus were descendants of Abraham, a type of Christian meant to inherit God’s Kingdom.
When you read the historical facts told by Jesus in Luke 16, you will discover that the rich man, though descendant of Abraham went to hell because he wasn’t rich towards God while on earth and Lazarus also a descendant of Abraham went to everlasting enjoyment because despite his poverty, served God.
Hear apostle Paul’s testimony in Philippians 4:12(NLT)
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Jesus wrote to a Church in Lazarus-like state in Revelation 2:8-10(NLT)
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
Who exactly is being referred to as the poor in the Scriptures?
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3(AMP) Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
The poor according to Jesus’s teachings on the mountain with His Disciples are those with salvation, humble, full of joy and satisfaction regardless of outward conditions. The poor rate themselves insignificant no matter what they have or have not.
The poor is satisfied with little and walks upright unlike the rich who get riches at all cost.
Psalm 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Proverbs 28:6(NLT) Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.
One of the characteristics of the poor is that they cry unto God because of the needs in their lives. No wonder if God wants to get the attention of the Rich, He throws a need into his/her life that money cannot solve.
Psalm 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
You will notice that even as Christians, we relax and pray with pleasure without vigour and atimes sitting down and sleeping while praying when there are no challenges before us but as soon as we are faced with challenges, come and see fire and sweating in the place of Prayers and fellowship. It’s because we’re poor at that moment and we need God to come to our rescue.
The rich are usually at ease even in Zion that is supposed to be the city of believers. That’s why Bible says in Amos 6:1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion…
You can have great possessions but make yourself poor in order not to be full of yourself and have more space for God’s blessings.
Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Do you know if the poor offends, he/she will plead for mercy while the Rich who offends will insult you?
Proverbs 18:23(NLT) The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
The poor are humble because they have in their spirit man that there’s One who is higher than the highest. Therefore, the poor are humble and rate themselves insignificant no matter what they have and that is why Jesus Christ said the Kingdom of God belongs to the poor.
In conclusion, the rich and the poor can be found in heaven and hell. If you’re rich and whatever you possess is insignificant to you compared with riches in God through Christ Jesus, then you are set for the Kingdom of God. One can be poor and proud, such is double jeopardy, suffer on earth and ends in hell. That will not be our portion in Jesus name.
Paul wrote to Timothy by the Holy Spirit;
1 Timothy 6:17(NLT) Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
Have a Wonderful life in Christ.
🖐 Maranatha
