Wealth and injustice

January 6, 2021 (Wednesday)

 

One of the constant, nagging, questions the Bible seems to ask of everyone who reads it is: How are you going to live now. Choices tend to follow choices. The weight of them piles up either for good or bad.

 

When he was young, King Solomon had a good name. When he was old, his wealth would be measured in the trillions by today’s standards. His hoard of silver was like dust in the streets. Looking back on a life of regrets and a heart turned from God, he realized a few things about wealth. The first thing is, a good reputation is much more valuable. “A good reputation is better than much wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold.” [Proverbs 22:1 CEB]

 

The next thing Solomon realizes about wealth, “The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.” [Proverbs 22:2 CEB] Personally, I am annoyed beyond words when someone tries to make things about class or race. Doesn’t matter who you are, you are born, you bleed red blood, and you will die. The privilege of class and wealth will come back to bite us if they are mishandled.

 

Solomon issues the warning, asking his children to exercise prudence and humility. “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” [Proverbs 22:3 NLT] The difference between being prudent and simple is one of anticipation. To anticipate the possibilities and prepare is not living in fear. It means to understand things change. My suspicion is 2020 changed everything, probably forever.

 

“The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.” [Proverbs 22:4 CEB] I don’t think humility and the fear of the Lord are a road map to wealth, honor, and life. My suspicion is that humility and the fear of the Lord are their own reward. Wealth is more than what can be found in the wallet, honor more than what can be found on the trophy shelf, and life more than what can be found on the gravestone.

 

There is a reality of the path we take, carving it out one step at a time. “Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.” [Proverbs 22:5 ESV] One reality of the crooked and corrupt path is God opposes those who take it. The sudden stop at the end is eternity in the “lake of fire.”

 

It is easier for us if we get a good start. “Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.” [Proverbs 22:6 CEB] If we know to carefully guard our soul, rather than trade it for fortune, pleasure, and power, eternity will be welcome. Many have traded their souls by abusing what God has given them to work with and turned their back on Jesus.

 

A reality of life, “The wealthy rule over the poor; a borrower is a slave to a lender.” [Proverbs 22:7 CEB] Notice Solomon did not attach a moral judgment to being rich or poor, borrower or lender. He did issue a stiff warning. “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.” [Proverbs 22:8 ESV] What Solomon is saying is, the wealthy that create injustice and use it for their own purposes will find themselves in a very large pile of steaming dung. God has problems with injustice and takes the side of the oppressed.

 

Solomon’s correction for injustice is, “Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.” [Proverbs 22:9 NLT] If you think poverty can be eliminated, you are wrong. However, the poor can be given a “hand-up.” This is a helping that does not hurt. It breaks the cycles that create barriers and poverty.

 

Does God care about injustice? You bet your soul God cares.