Proverbs 10:15
A man’s wealth is his strong city…
But the poor come to ruin...because of their poverty.
Notice that the writer identifies each situation with possessive pronouns in “his strong city” and “their poverty”.
What a person owns or does not own…will determine the outcome of their lives in particular. The rich man owns his wealth, and therefore is strong. The poor owns his poverty, and therefore is headed for trouble.
You don’t have to be a genius to look at society today and understand how having...or not having wealth...alters the outcomes of the lives of millions of people all over the world each and every day. However, I would like to turn this proverb upside down…and look at this gem from a different perspective…and see if it might reflect some light upon this subject…light that we might have otherwise overlooked.
Certainly, this proverb mentions wealth and poverty as two main elements in life… but it does not indicate what kind of wealth or poverty. To be rich or poor means to have or have not a particular substance. We can be rich in material things and money… and be completely void of peace, health, and spiritual wisdom. We can be impoverished, and yet still be rich in wisdom, peace, and justice. You could have all the money in the world… and yet still have to confront a barrage of problems in this life…problems which money alone simply cannot solve…and in the end find yourself drowning in the power of your poverty!
So then, who is poor, and who is rich? Is it the man whose bank account and portfolio puts him in the top 1% of the wealthiest people in America? One who has several addictions, none of which seem to fill the pain in his soul…an innumerous number of problems with his children...and a multitude of other problems which his money seemingly cannot fix. Or, could it be the person who faithfully serves his employer, lives modestly, serves his community, respects his Creator, and finally humbles himself in thanks for the multitude of blessings which he has received in this life? One of these through his own poverty is headed for ruin…but the other’s deep strong wealth keeps him and all those that live under his oversight...safe and secure!
I am not at all contending that to be poor is wisdom. I am contending that there are more things in this life that create wealth, other than just mere money. There are many other things in this life that will make you secure other than working towards financial security. Whose house will stand? Whose house will fall? Who is rich? Who is poor?
May we listen to the following words of Jesus Christ, and let them give us a new perspective, and a new understanding of what kind of people we really want to become!
Revelations 3:17-18
“Because you say, I’m rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing...but you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and without adequate clothing. I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich...white clothes so that you may be dressed...that your shame and foolishness be not exposed...and finally ointment to spread on your eyes...so that you may see!”