Arrogant Affluence
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5
Mocks – Who would dare do such a thing? Who would ridicule, deride, insult or scorn the poor? Actually, most of us. Let me tell you why.
First, the word for “poor” here is the Hebrew word rush (with a long u). These are the ones in society without status and possessions. They are the destitute, surviving, if at all, by a daily dose of begging. These are not the politically oppressed, not the ones who lack life’s basic needs, not the ones who are part of unrecognized masses. These are the ones without an advocate, without resources, without the ability to care for themselves. They are the bottom rung of the socio-economic ladder. If you want to meet some of them, come with me to an orphanage in Zambia. The children are there because all of their parents have died from AIDS. They have nothing.
I am quite certain that as you read this you will feel a throb of compassion. You may have to hold back tears if you have ever been in close contact with these children of a lesser god. So, how is it possible that you might mock them?
The verb is la’ag. It is a strong, vile, offensive verb. Proverbs tells us that the one who despises the poor taunts his Maker. Here comes the blow to our hearts. Do you think that God gave you all that you have so you could ignore, avoid or minimize the destitute among us? How much more insulting to the Creator can it be than to take His gifts and refuse to use them on His behalf. God gives – abundantly – without regret or recompense. But most of us take! Can you imagine the enormity of our insult to the Father of all good gifts when we say, “It’s not my problem?” Of course it’s your problem – and mine. We are here as children of salt and light. We are vice-regents of the image of God, called to be stewards of His treasury. If God gives until He bleeds, do we think we can do any less?
I‘m sure you’ve heard all of this before. Executives at World Vision once told me that they knew exactly how many photos of sick children they had to run on television to raise money. But garnering donations isn’t the point. The point is that God places obligations on those who have simply because they have. God is the author of all good things. Not me. Not you. If He elects to give me more than I need, that extra comes with a cosmic responsibility. And when I act as though what I have is mine, I mock His sovereignty. I insult His decision to put in my hands a measure of His possessions. I display arrogant affluence, an attitude that says, “What’s mine is mine. I earned it. If you can’t take care of yourself, that your own fault.”
This is not social redistribution by government edict. This is the heart of God, displayed in my attitude toward others. I have a choice. I can take what God gives and use it without regard to the cosmic agenda, or I can align my heart with His, and discover the joy of being salt and light. God holds me accountable for that choice. There is no avoiding it.
