Wretchedly Rich or Wretchedly Poor?

 Thought For Today - January 5
 Wretchedly Rich or Wretchedly Poor?  -  By: Robert A. Searles
      Why are the rich so wretchedly rich and the poor so wretchedly poor? Each of these groups are oceans and continents apart from each other. It is not true that all men are created equal in terms of material wealth and possessions. I believe that my fourth grade teacher was grossly misinformed when she told her class so many years ago, that anyone , regardless of race, creed, or color could become president of his country. The truth of the matter is that down through the ages, wealthy kings rule, and poverty stricken peasants serve, the intelligence level of either notwithstanding.
      When we see so many impoverished and starving people throughout the world, and in contrast see so many glutinous, overstuffed, self indulgent individuals, we are moved to humbly, and respectfully entreat our God and ask why? Why should any one require an annual salary of multi millions of dollars, regardless of their ability, talents, or their contribution to society, while others barely earn the price of bread? God reminds us through his word that "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22: 7.
      One does not have to go far to see how obvious it is that the rich exploit the poor, and the poor are subservient to the rich. What president, elected official, king or queen, or celebrity is worthy of annual salary's and endowments of millions of dollars, while others must deprive their children of the necessities of life in order to pay their taxes to support these people. If the wealth of planet earth were evenly distributed among all its' inhabitants, there would be enough for everyone so that no man, woman, or child would be undernourished or impoverished; but, we live in the real world where sin and greed, and avarice abound. Men have forgotten that: "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." They think it belongs to them: those who are the fittest and strongest, and most able to prevail. Wealth and prosperity come as the result of education and self improvement, they say, but what poor child can sit in the classroom and absorb the principals of mathematics and science when his attention span may be impaired because of the lack of proper nutrition and hunger, no breakfast, if you will. Or who can continue on to a higher level of education after his free education has come to an end? Only those who already have the wealth and means are able to do so.
      The rich are advantaged and the poor are handicapped from birth. What is better than riches? "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. And loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together. the Lord is the maker of them all." Proverbs 22: 1,2.
      "Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death." Proverbs 11:4. "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch." Proverbs 11: 28 .
         Those of us whom God has blessed with much wealth ought to be very grateful and realize from whence it came and be considerate of those who have less. It is not a sin to be wealthy, but it is sinful to be ungrateful to God, and to use our wealth, influence and gain to exploit the less fortunate. It is true in some cases where there have been wealthy individuals and companies who have had hearts of love and compassion, and have distributed their wealth to the poor and needy, but these have been few and far between. There is a principle at work which teaches that to be greedy of gain, and to hoard great riches for one's self without the thought of the needs of others, results in poverty, and those who become poor by giving, even though they were rich, become richer still
.      "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing, there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." Proverb 13: 7
      . There was a great person in history who was very rich, who because of his love and compassion for the entire human race, laid aside his riches and became poor so that all others could become rich. His name was Jesus.
      "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." 2 Corinthians 8: 9.
      He is fabulously rich who has gratefully received from God, God's gift of love of the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance in heaven through God's son who was rich but made himself poor . He is wretchedly poor who clings to his wealth and denies his need of salvation and will spend eternity in hell.
      Jesus said: "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 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. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." St Luke 16:19-26.
      Rich or poor, what will be our eternal destiny?" 
Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

                                                                                 Psalm 26: 7