RICH & POOR MEET TOGETHER

The Old Testament Book of Proverbs -- (found right after the Psalms) -- is a unique collection of short statements of inspired truth & wisdom! It contains many wise & highly practical sayings -- everyone of which are worthy our careful thought. One such Proverb is found in 22:1-2. It reads: -- "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches -- & loving favor rather than silver & gold. -- The rich & poor meet together: -- the Lord is the maker of them all."

Verse 2 in the NIV says: -- "The rich & the poor have this in common -- the Lord is the Maker of them all!" Or you could say -- the Lord made them both -- both the rich & the poor.

You see -- the rich & the poor have more in common than this world ever dreamed of. In the eyes of this world -- the rich & poor may seem to live in two different worlds! -- Or as some would say -- on two sides of the track. On which side of the tracks did you grow up?

From the world's point of view -- the rich & the poor may seem to be as far apart as the North & South poles! But in the eyes of Almighty God -- they have much in common! And as the Proverb says -- they "meet together" -- on many points -- some of which I would like to talk to you about this morning.

Jesus often talked about the rich & the poor. Who can forget His stirring story in Luke 16 -- as Jesus told of "a certain rich man" -- & "a beggar named Lazarus." It is the tragic account of a rich man who lost his soul -- & at this very moment suffers the anguish -- the torment & the remorse -- of those who are lost in an eternal Hell. On the other hand -- the poor beggar, Lazarus -- went to Heaven -- & at this moment is in the presence of God & angels! The rich man was not lost because of his wealth -- nor was the poor beggar saved because of his poverty. The rich man went to Hell because he left God out of his life -- & the poor man was saved because of his personal faith in God! A man without faith has a greater handicap than does a man without feet!

Jesus also spoke of the rich & the poor whom He witnessed casting their gifts into the treasury at the temple in Jerusalem. Here we see that Jesus watched the "rich & poor" meet together -- & He weighed with divine wisdom & scrutiny their actions -- & a record was made in the books of Heaven. The onlookers that day probably applauded the gifts of the rich -- & looked with contempt & scorn upon the widow's mite. But Jesus saw that the rich gave from their abundance -- while the poor widow lady gave "all that she had." In the records on High & in the mind of the Judge of all the earth -- the poor widow had made an eternal impression -- while the gifts of the rich brought no real praise from the Lord!

My friends -- how very important it is to try to see things as God sees them -- from God's perspective!

There are so many wonderful & precious things which money will not buy. No rich man with all his money ever bought peace of mind & heart -- nor forgiveness of sins -- or a home in Heaven. Money cannot buy the happiness of a vital Christian home where Jesus is the silent Listener to every conversation & the unseen Guest at every meal. Money cannot quiet the cries of a guilty conscience -- nor heal the wounds of a wasted life. Money cannot buy a good name -- nor the respect of others -- & that is why the wise Proverb writer said: -- "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches -- & loving favor than silver & gold. The rich & poor meet together: -- the Lord is the maker of them all."

I am drawn to those words in our text that says: -- "The rich & poor meet together." -- They meet together! What does it mean -- rich or poor -- they "meet together"?

Allow me this morning to share some thoughts -- from the Biblical perspective -- as to what it means for the rich & poor to meet together!

1. The Rich & Poor Meet Together in Sorrow!

All people -- rich & poor -- have sorrows & tears! The road of life is paved with heartaches & burdens. What erroneous thinking it is that the poor have all the sorrow -- & the rich have none! -- No, no, no -- they both experience the sorrows of life! Trouble & sorrow are no respecter of persons! The Old Testament character, Job -- who himself was a very wealthy man -- said: -- "Man is born unto trouble" (5:7) -- & again, he said: "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, & full of trouble" (14:1).

Riches do not fortify the wealthy against sorrow & tears! In fact -- riches often causes trouble & heartaches!

Some years ago a fine looking, middle aged woman drove up to a church parsonage in Michigan -- in her large & beautiful car. She went to the door & asked for if she could speak for a few minutes with the pastor & his wife. As they listened -- the woman told her story from a broken heart & with many tears. When she was a young girl -- she gave her heart to Christ -- but she did not remain true to her Christian upbringing. She married an unsaved man -- & together they lived without God & without hope! Her husband was the vice-president of a large dairy product company. They belonged to the Country Club; -- they were rich in this world's goods; -- all their personal friends were also wealthy. But -- she said: -- "I am in trouble. -- My only son is in jail: -- he has committed an awful sin -- & awaits his sentence to prison. -- My husband & I are in shame & disgrace. -- We have not slept for nights."

Then she held up her hands -- & upon her fingers were thousands of dollars' worth of diamonds; -- but her face was covered wet with tears as she said: -- "I would gladly give these jewels -- & that car you can see through the window -- as well as the large luxurious home in which we live -- if I could go back across the years -- & be a Christian mother -- & raise my boy in a godly home."

Then suddenly she got up & left without giving her name -- & without letting the pastor nor his wife say a word. As she went out the door of that parsonage she was sobbing & cried: -- "Pray for me. Pray for me. O God, I wish it could be different."

When the troubles of life come -- & they will -- the riches of earth can bring no lasting comfort! Only the presence of Jesus Christ can fortify the soul against the hours of darkness & travail.

Remember -- that though the sun may shine brightly in your little world today -- & all seems well -- trouble & sorrow & tears lie ahead! It does not matter at that time -- whether you are rich or poor. The sorrows & troubles of life rain upon both the rich & the poor! In sorrow there is common ground!

2. The Rich & Poor Meet Together in Death!

The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 -- "It is appointed unto men -- (all man kind) -- once to die -- but after this the judgment." When God's appointed hour comes for you to die -- it does not matter whether you are rich or poor; -- death is universal! All the riches of earth cannot buy another heartbeat -- nor another breath of air. All mankind -- rich or poor -- must look ahead & prepare for the inescapable hour of death! We must number our days & apply our hearts to wisdom!

The Bible gives great emphasis to the brevity of human life! It is as a shadow passing quickly across the face of the earth; -- it is as a vapor, fragile & unstable & soon gone; -- it is as grass, green for a moment in time -- then dry & dead. The Bible says man's life "appears for a little time, & then vanishes away."

Death is no respecter of persons. Death never stops to consider whether you are rich or poor. Death does not care if you live in a palace of luxury -- or if you live in a little hut of poverty. -- Death comes uninvited -- suddenly -- unexpected!

In my 40 plus years of pastoral ministry -- I have seen hundreds of people on their death-beds! I have been at the bedside of the wealthy -- as well as that of the poor. And I have witnessed that neither riches nor poverty -- means very much in that most solemn moment when a person goes out to meet the God Who made them -- & the Savior Who died for them!

Some time ago I read the sermon of an old-time preacher who told a story which went something like this: -- The lovely daughter of a most wealthy man lay dying -- & was soon to meet God. It is said that the wealthy man spoke with the doctor just outside the sick girl's bedroom -- & said: -- "Now listen, Doctor. -- Money is no problem. -- As you know, I am a wealthy man. -- If you can save my daughter from death & make her well -- I will make you rich. -- You name your price -- & I'll meet it." The doctor replied: -- "Sir, I am just a physician. -- I can neither give life -- nor have I the right to take it. -- If I could heal your lovely daughter -- I certainly would; -- but, Sir, I am not God: -- you had better be talking to Him!"

The rich & the poor meet together -- not only in sorrow -- but also in in death!

3. The Rich & Poor Meet Together in Salvation!

Thank God -- the Bible teaches that both the rich & the poor can be saved! -- can experience a spiritual birth! Salvation is for everyone who will come to God in sincere confession of their sins -- & who invite Jesus Christ -- God's Son, into their hearts & lives! You cannot buy Salvation! -- It is God's free gift of grace to you! The ground is level at the foot of the Cross!

The Bible tells us that Abraham "was very rich in cattle, in silver, & in gold." -- Abraham -- the friend of God -- will be in Heaven!

Joseph of Arimathaea was evidently very rich -- but he loved the Lord Jesus -- & requested that he be given the Lord's body following the Crucifixion -- so that he might give Jesus a decent burial. He thus fulfilling the prophetic statement from the prophet Isaiah: -- "And he made his grave ... with the rich in his death."

On the other hand -- the poor beggar who lay starving at the gates of the wicked rich man will be with the rich in Heaven.

The One who owns the earth & the fullness thereof -- is a Friend of sinners -- whether they are rich or poor! Jesus -- Who walked home with wealthy Zacchaeus -- also ate on the hillside with humble fishermen -- & He drank at the same well with a lost out-cast woman -- whom He saved.

The Apostle Paul wrote those words: -- "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, -- that, though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor -- that you through His poverty might become rich!" (2 Cor. 8:9).

Years ago -- two young men lived in the New England states. One came from a poor family. -- He & his widowed mother lived alone. The other was an only son of a very wealthy couple.

These two boys were both called into the service of their country in World War I -- & were placed in the same company. They became inseparable friends. One day the poor boy got a letter telling him that his mother had died -- & he would now be alone in the world. The son of the wealthy family tried to console his buddy. They continued their wonderful friendship. They went through several battles together.

Then one night in France -- the rich boy was seriously injured -- & lay dying on the battlefield. His poor friend crawled to his side -- picked him up & held him in his arms as he died. The rich boy said to his friend: -- "Take off this blood-soaked shirt from my body. -- If God lets you live through all this -- when you get back home -- go to my father -- give him my bloody shirt -- & tell him that my dying request was that you be adopted as his son -- & become heir to all his wealth."

Some months later the war ended -- & the poor soldier boy reluctantly approached the wealthy home. A butler came to the door -- & sought to turn him away -- saying: -- "Since his son was killed -- the master sees no one." "But I have a message from his son" -- said the poor boy. He was ushered into the plush home. As the wealthy man & the poor soldier stood together -- the young soldier told the grief stricken father of his son's dying request. He then gave the father the blood-stained shirt -- & the two embraced each other & wept together -- & the poor became a son of the rich!

What a wonderful true story that is to illustrate what the blood of Jesus can do for a poor lost sinner!

Thank God -- you too, can come out of rags -- into His riches! Out of your darkness -- into His wonderful light! Out of your sins -- into eternal salvation through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for you at Calvary!

Oh my friends -- listen to the words of John M. Moore -- who wrote: -- Burdens are lifted at Calvary -- Calvary -- Calvary. Burdens are lifted at Calvary; -- Jesus is very near.

Conclusion: -- "The rich & poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all."

To God -- it does not matter one iota -- whether you are rich or poor -- good or bad -- educated or uneducated -- Jew or Gentile -- Republican or Democrat or Independent. -- The Lord is the Maker of them all!

The rich & poor rub shoulders together when it comes to sorrow; -- when it comes to death -- & when it comes to a personal salvation!

The critical question today -- is not how much you have -- or how little you have -- how rich or how poor! The critical question today is do you know the Lord Jesus Christ in a real & person Salvation?

When sorrow comes -- you will wish you knew Him better; -- for He will bring you comfort & strength! When death comes knocking at your door -- you will wish you knew Him -- for He alone can usher you into His glorious Heaven. When it comes to your Salvation -- your money will not buy your way -- nor will your poverty prevent you from being saved.

That is why the Prophet Isaiah wrote: -- "Ho, every one that thirsts, come you to the waters, & he that has no money; come, buy & eat; yea, come buy wine & milk without money & without price!" (55:1). The invitation to God's great salvation is to everyone today!

Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ

www.wynnechapel.org