TOPIC: DON’T ROB THE
POOR
KEY VERSE: Proverbs
22:22
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress
the afflicted in the gate.
TEXT: Proverbs
22:16-29
16. He that
oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich,
shall surely come to want.
17. Bow down
thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my
knowledge.
18. For it is
a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in
thy lips.
19. That thy
trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20. Have not I
written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21. That I
might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest
answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22. Rob not
the poor, because he is poor; neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23. For the
LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24. Make no
friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go;
25. Lest thou
learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26. Be not
thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27. If thou
hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28. Remove not
the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29. Seest thou
a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand
before mean men.
MESSAGE:
God, our Creator, has
given severe warning to the rich and influential to desist from robbing the
poor and oppressing the afflicted and downtrodden.
The plight of man is
to exploit the weak, poor and ignorant folks around him and reduce them to
puppets, serving only his interest. The strong and mighty in almost all human
societies have often violated the rights and reduced the privileges of those
who cannot challenge them. The result of this unjust treatment is attendant
upheavals such as strife, agitations, protests, conflicts and wars which have
become common occurrence around the globe today.
Social injustice is
the root cause of many catastrophes known in human history. Its spiritual
effect is more devastating in time and eternity for those who delight in the
oppression of the poor and the lowly members of the society. The God of truth
and justice hates oppression and turns His hands and attention against wicked
oppressors of His children. Indeed, “…the way of the wicked he turneth upside
down” (Psalm 146:9).
Prophet Isaiah made
more scathing remarks about those oppressors, “Woe unto them that decree
unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To
turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of
my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the
fatherless!” (Isaiah 10:1,2). God hates oppression and we should not overtly or
covertly use it on others – whether rich or poor. Honour should be given to
all.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Do not add more pain to aching souls.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 5-8.
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