Day 130 – Be Careful With the Poor

‘Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoil them’. Proverbs 22:22-23

When the bible talks about ‘the gate’ – it is a description of the place or position where the elders and the people of authority and power meet. Someone might be described to be powerful either because of position, wealth, prestige or share popularity. ‘The gate’ is also relative – it could be within a community, within a company or a defined group of people.

Whatever the arena in which you might have power, today’s wisdom warns us to be careful how we deal with the poor in our sphere of influence.  A poor person may be someone who is helpless in some way, or who does not readily have anyone to help them out in their situation. A poor person may be at your mercy employment-wise or accommodation-wise or someone in financial lack.

The word of wisdom today states that we should be careful how we deal with this category of people. When any action is taken that indicate that one is taking undue advantage over someone else that can be described as being poor, God is saying He will personally plead their cause and spoil the soul of those that spoil them! The Common English Bible version says in verse 23, ‘The Lord will take their case and press life out of those who oppress them’. So think twice before you deal wrongly with the poor, otherwise, you will be an opponent of God in the same ‘boxing ring’ – that would be very disastrous!  As you face today, let the wisdom of wisdom dwell richly in your heart. God bless you.