FRIDAY May 12, 2017
The Rich and Poor Alike
There were also those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery…” - Nehemiah 5:4-5
Nehemiah heard the complaints and cries of God’s people and he knew the wealthier Jews were oppressing the poor. The Lord is no respecter of persons. There is no difference between the rich and the poor with Him. God always listened to the cries of the poor when they were oppressed.
In America class distinction between the rich and the poor are not so pronounced. However in other places, especially in the third world countries, you will find it is very different. One thing I have learned about is the oppression of the lower class people by the upper class.
I have traveled to South America and seen how the upper classes act towards the lower classes. Even between the middle class and the upper class you still find that they will not mingle together. The upper class can be very snobbish. They have big homes, luxury cars, and expensive clothing. They always look down on the middle and lower classes––that is just the way it is. They use the lower classes to serve them, and they do not see anything wrong with it.
In Chile, the people do not cross the lines of social classes. It is very hard to break the barriers between them. Even within the churches, the upper classes will not fellowship with other classes. Why? They feel the lower classes of people are beneath them. When you become a Christian there is no difference between the rich and the poor. All Christians are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
The rich and the poor have this in common,
The Lord is the maker of them all.
~Proverbs 22:2~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!