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by Gary Sims
08/31/03
Not For Sale
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The Scriptures
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 – Choices
Background:

Proverbs are designed to give us short, two-line snippets of wisdom that we can use to alter the way we live in order to become more aligned with the way God would have us live. As we read Proverbs we must be careful to avoid overlooking the importance of their message simply because of their brevity and wittiness. These are thoughts and lessons from God that we should read and respond to.

Key Verses: (NRSV)

1: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” – We have choices we can make in life and this proverb is teaching that choosing wisdom and righteousness with God should come before wealth.
2b: “…the Lord is maker of them all.” – Nothing matters more in life than our relationship with God.
8: “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity.” – Should we choose to abuse our roles of leadership and make ourselves important at the expense of others then we will experience ruin as a result.
9: “Those who are generous are blessed.” – The more we share God’s blessings with others the more we are blessed.
22: “Do not rob the poor because they are poor.” – We are not to take advantage of those who are weak and poor simply because they are defenseless.
23: “For the Lord pleads their cause.” – The poor have an advocate in God and we can choose to be on His side working with them or we can be against them and against God.

Points to Contemplate:

Do you ever grow tired of needy causes? Does the number of “good” causes that come your way sometimes overwhelm you? Do you wonder how it is possible to respond to every need? Are there too many choices? Does it help to focus on God and your relationship with Him? Does this shift in focus diminish the importance you place on money and remove the anxiety that grows from trying to manage it? Does your commonality with the poor as Children of God help to open your heart to their needs?
Do all things come from God? Does this include your money? If so, if everything you have is a gift from God, then is there any reason not to share it? In fact, is the reason that He has blessed you so richly because He expects you to share it? What happens when we hoard God’s blessings? Is it like a plugged water pipe, once it stops flowing nothing more can be added? Do you see that the more you share His blessings the more His is able to flow through you? Are you willing to be an open conduit of God’s love and blessings to the world? Can you imagine what that experience would be like?
Do you rob the poor? What is meant by this? How can you rob from those who have nothing? Is it possible the verses could also be referring to the poor in spirit? In the Beatitudes in Matthew, Jesus teaches: ³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Could robbing from the poor be referring to the denial of access to the kingdom of heaven? If your role as a Christian is to build God’s kingdom in the lives around you, then, when your actions are not furthering His cause, are you robbing from those close to you? Does this open up new ways to think about the poor and your responsibility towards them in other ways than simply monetary terms?
Why is God an advocate for the poor? Why do they get His closest attention? What is special about their circumstances that we are called to be generous and help to lift them from their situation? Is it God’s “trickle-down” economics at work? Is this “Gospel Affirmative Action?” He is calling us to be caretakers of our brethren? Is He trying to teach us an important lesson through the experiences of generosity, such as prioritization of our lives? Or, because the poor are the neediest, are they more likely to turn to God, if given the opportunity? Is pride too large a barrier for the rich to overcome?

Promises of the Gospel:

We are richly blessed by God but this does not mean that we are to go out seeking wealth as our top priority. How we respond to the needs of the world around us not only enhances our reputation (good name) but it is the way in which God’s kingdom is built. These verses call us to set aside our focus on money and, instead, turn to Him for wisdom and righteousness in order that we can then respond to those in need around us. This is a lesson on priorities with God first and those in need second.

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Brenda Johnson

01 Sep 2003

very insightful, I especilly was enlightened by your insight into robbing the poor.

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