Proverbs 14:20-21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God says...

“The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” (Proverbs 14:20, 21 NKJV)

He states the plain sad reality, in this world social standing is measured on position and possessions. Many, if not all, want to be friends and neighbors with the affluent and the moneyed. Some hate to be neighbors with the lowly and the unprivileged. They hate to dwell amongst the poor. They flock with the wealthy like ants - riding on their coattails. But, when the money runs dry, they all fly away. Like what happened to the prodigal son. During the days of his partying as funding was abundant, his friends were many. When the money was gone, so did his party buddies. No one gave him anything! The Scriptures say:” After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” (Luke 15:14-16 NIV)

This reminds us not to measure the standard of our living with the world. Rather, let's abide by the ways of God's word, in His grace. As believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, if we do surrender to His Lordship, we are citizens of heaven. And, we are instructed to take care of the poor when He said: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40 KJV)

We are to love our neighbors rich and poor to fulfill His royal law and leave this world victorious. It is written: "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (James 2:8 ESV)

Loving them is not by way of handouts to the poor, nor subservience to the whims of the rich. Loving them is as Lord Jesus has commanded: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
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