Since ancient days in most cultures, certain people have been given an elevated position and others have been disregarded. Generally, poor people are treated poorly. They have little or no position in the culture and are given little or no respect. Generally, the people who possess wealth are elevated in most cultures. Over time in some cultures, the wealthy are even given titles, positions, and realms as a type of right and these titles develop into a class system that can hold disdain for anyone in the classes below them.
Yet in reality, the true value of any person cannot be measured by the material wealth of the person, nor does wealth guarantee anything except the ability to buy and accumulate while one has wealth. Wealth can be lost in a moment through any and many varied unexpected and uncontrollable events and circumstances and through the foolishness of those that possess it. Wealth cannot buy health or life nor can it guarantee success or respect. Furthermore, it will fade away as life fades away and is not transferable beyond life on this earth.
So what is to be our perspective on being rich and poor? Jesus cautions us about laying up treasures upon the earth or fixing our hearts upon them (Matthew 5:19-21). He desires our hearts’ focus to be on things given by Him that will last into eternity. We also know God sees the poor and He is not fooled into valuing His children by their wealth on earth that is passing away.
Being rich or poor can be a temptation to either the rich or the poor. Both can lose the purpose and life one is given in grace through Jesus Christ. A poor person can become bitter, resentful, and consumed with the injustice of his or her position. They might resort to stealing and lying to somehow acquire more and more thinking it will bring them happiness. A rich person can become arrogant: selfishly thinking his or her wealth can never be lost and all the things that he or she possesses will bring happiness. Rich and poor alike can lose their heart to their position in regard to wealth. The rich and the poor will both face the end of their days on this earth. The hope of all people living on the earth is found only in Jesus Christ and eternal life, He alone can give.
If you are poor and a follower of Christ … you have riches that money cannot buy in your relationship with your Lord and Savior. This is why there are followers of Christ who are extremely poor; can be filled with great joy in their elevated position as a child of the King. Realize your position with Christ as your Savior.
If you have wealth … you are to be humble and generous in your wealth. Humble in knowing that you are a human being just like everyone else. Humble in knowing … all wealth can be like a vapor and it is not really nor totally yours. It is a blessing from God and you are to be generous in giving and sharing with other people and ministries so that your wealth can serve a lasting and eternal purpose.
The truth remains … both rich and poor, need to find their meaning and living hope in the same Savior. Jesus is not impressed by our riches or lack of them. He desires our hearts and lives. Knowing the Savior and letting Him reign as Lord over our lives, should change us … regardless of whether we are rich or poor. Our relationship with Christ is eternal and it will last for eternity unlike all the riches of the world which will surely pass away like the grass of the field.
“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of the grass. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits” (James 1:9-11, ESV).