THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

Proverbs 10:15 (KJV)

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

I see verses 15-22 as all speaking on the subject of stewardship, but I see at least three separate subjects:

There is the contrast between the rich man and the poor

Vs 15

There is the labor and the lips of the righteous

Vs 16-21

There is the blessing of the Lord

Vs 22

I want to spend our time on verse 15 and the contrast presented between the rich man and the poor.

Let’s begin by noticing that,

I. THERE IS AN OBSERVABLE REALITY

Proverbs 10:15 (KJV)

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The natural observation – the thing that seems most true based on this verse is that old axiom,

“The rich get richer; the poor get poorer”

Cambridge Bible Notes says,

“Wealth has its advantages and poverty its drawbacks, and the fact is honestly stated. There is nothing of the unreality which represents poverty as in itself desirable, or wealth as in itself to be avoided.”

It reminds me of what used to be one of America’s foreign policies – that the best way to prevent a war is to have a strong army.

If no one think they can beat you, they aren’t likely to pick a fight with you.

Similarly, the best way to ensure you can provide for your home in a time of difficulty is to make sure you have put away enough to provide for your house in the time of difficulty.

One of the privileges of living in the United States is that,

A. We live in a society where a person can climb out of this natural predicament.

·   The rich can get richer here but

·   The poor can get rich here too

B. It can be accomplished really at any age 

In America anyone with a little bit of sense and a whole lot of hard work, regardless of age and education, can succeed.

Good sense however says,

C. It is best to realize the reality and overcome it early

The best time to apply good sense and hard work is while you are still young.

The reality is that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, but, at least in the United States, you don’t have to stay poor.

Let’s turn the focus a bit and observe also that

II. THERE IS A MORAL IMPLICATION

Proverbs 10:15 (KJV)

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

There was a time when even the king depended on peasants to work his fields (and thus create wealth).

This, in part, is what led to the general idea that the royalty ought to be benevolent to the people under them.

They owed their wealth and their power, to those who worked and protected their property.

Today the wealthiest usually do not work with their hands – but they still depend upon those who do.

Every job, from the CEO, to the politician, to the salesman relies on the one who actually produces something.

I am reminded of Colossians 4:1 (KJV)

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Those who are wealthy are almost always wealthy because of someone else.

Therefore, we who have ought to be kind and generous to those who have less.

Finally notice that,

*III. THERE IS A SPIRITUAL CAUTION

Proverbs 10:15 (KJV)

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

It is foolish to view wealth and poverty as something more than temporary standings.

I am reminded of the rich man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-23 (KJV)

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

As much as it may seem that there is a great disparity between the rich man and the poor, the truth is that both must die.

And in an instant, what was reality on earth might be reversed in eternity.

Wealth is fleeting – God must be our strong tower.

Never is it wise to trust in uncertain riches.

Wisdom is to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.[1]

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[1] Philippians 3:8