“Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are altogether lighter than a breath.” – Psalm 62:9

Beside the fact that both rich and poor share in a common mortality, there is yet another aspect that is inescapable: both are concerned about security; the destitute are mindful of how to obtain their next meal, how to pay that bill, or to keep a roof over their head, while the well-off are anxious with safeguarding their wealth, speculating how long their fortunes will last. Neither one of them are free, and both share common grounds in an uncertain and unpredictable future. The rich may conceal it in the abundance of their wealth, but subconsciously they are victim of it.

Only a few weeks ago, a radio host congratulated the highest paid celebrity; as if such a thing is deemed worthy of honour! The world some years ago, at least, had a certain amount of good sense and dignity in what it esteemed, but it is true to say that as society moves further away from the ways of God, and spurns the message mediated through the body of the Christ (the Church), He withdraws His restraining influence that results in a debased-orientated culture. We see it everywhere in society: in the homes, education, politics and the military. America shared in a temporal booming economy under the Clinton administration while lacking the wisdom to maintain the stability of a nation that generates a prosperous welfare; we have ingenuity but the lack of moral integrity to harness our discoveries in the right and dignified direction; we have the intelligence of wielding power, but the lack of wisdom that prevents us from destroying ourselves. History itself proves that righteousness alone exalts a nation – not capital as many are politically ill-driven to believe.

How the rich are prone to live in delusion, while generally the poor are more succumb to living soberly and realistically; they know how weak and powerless they are, while the rich forget how fragile they really are – no-one knows the moment of their last breath; a sudden crises can radically alter things in an instant. Both indeed go up in the balances: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return” (Job:1:21). It is not in the abundance of earthly possessions that is the measure of a man or woman but in the character that is either of eternal wealth or damnation; that is the essence that should always govern our enterprises. The snare of the poor is the lack of contentment, in whatever circumstances God has decreed (the secret the apostle Paul learned to master), that leads to covetousness and steals the opportunity to explore the unsearchable riches in Christ alone.

Some years ago, a visiting preacher, well known in Wales, was honest enough to state that he was thankful to God by not permitting him to come into large sums of money; he strongly believed that such assets would cause him to stray from the Lord. Some may be surprised and inclined to disgust at such ‘lack’ of spirituality, but on the contrary – one couldn’t be more spiritual! Seldom do you find that kind of humility and truthfulness in ministers. Whenever he came to speak there was always a warmth and reality that brought to life truths he expounded; his preaching and application were such that struck and moved the hearts of all that heard him; there was a spiritual colour in that minister I have never come across in another. Had he been given such fortunes, others would not have been richly nourished as he preached. How many Christians I hear, “If only I could win the lottery, I would give to this cause and that, pay off this person’s debt, finance such and such college fees…and then buy that dream home we’ve wanted with all the accompaniments that come with it… ” Sometimes the mercy of God prevents us from such requests; sometimes He has given others what they constantly nag for (the Israelites had what they whined for and it consumed and destroyed them – Numbers 11; Psalm 106:15) that has proven to be their ruin.

A safe request is to pray: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me” (Proverbs 30:8). Can we be content to just having our basic needs met? God sees to what really we really need, but even then we must beware of using God as some kind of convenient deity, only to be sorely disappointed when our requests are not answered in a timely fashion or we are given a blank denial; listen to the apostle Paul: “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (Philippians 4:12), but hang on a second, Paul – aren’t you contradicting yourself there when you also said, “My God will supply every need of yours”? God saw that what Paul really needed was to trust in Him no matter what the circumstance, just or unjust – whether or not He gave what Paul requested. Did Paul sulk like many of us do? “I have learned the secret to be content in and every circumstance – whether to be brought low or to abound.” There’s the measure of the man. Many use the notion of, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given unto you” to obtain what they want, but what David exclaimed: “I shall not want” is not quite exactly as many prefer to imagine. We don’t dictate to God what we think we need; we are His disciples that requires loyalty to Him in every area – down to and beyond our food, clothing and shelter. We ought to be so taken up with Him and His purposes that we don’t give a thought to our needs, but as we look back in time we see the hand of God that has wonderfully provided – and even more than we anticipated! That’s what it is not to worry; can we trust God to supply without even giving it a thought? “Take no thought for tomorrow.” Elementary faith always stays in the harbour of primary requests.

Is it luxurious living, which so many Christians strive for, that brings contentment? “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing [and Paul didn’t possess much toward the end of his life but a cloak, some books and parchments – 2 Timothy 4:13], with these we will be content [not because of them]. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…But as for you…flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love steadfastness…take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…” (1 Timothy 6:6-12). Paul was a poor man – by the world’s standards – when it came to material things, but his heart was immensely capacitated to be filled with the treasures of eternity, and no doubt, in those prison cells, he had encountered numerous foretastes of the indescribable glory to come; what incredible and priceless moments he must have known in communing with the One, Whose face, Whose glory he would soon behold and worship in a tongue and language that knows no bounds! Despite Paul’s chains, he was more free than all the kings and queens in their pomp put together!

“The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:2). The Lord gives each one their breath; it is the Lord Who sustains all life and it is He Who calls for all breath to return unto Him, to eternal joy or damnation, any moment He wills to. The rich and poor are born alike into this world and they shall expire as a vapour in like manner – there is no way of preserving and prolonging life, no matter how brilliant science may be: “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit” (Psalm 49:7-9). The call comes to both the rich and poor: make the Lord your dwelling place of security, refuse to seek after wealth and riches, but if riches increase, do not set your heart upon them (Psalm 62:10). To those who continue to live in material poverty: trust God for all, you are already rich in Him; to those who are wealthy: live detached from your wealth and cleave to Him, ready to relinquish if God were to say so. No man or woman can extend the measure of another’s life; no one can prevent either one of us from going to the grave – we all have to face it, but for those who trust in the One Who gave us breath, He will ransom our soul from the power of everlasting decay, He will receive us eternally unto Himself with joy. Because He lives forevermore and lives in us – who make Him their refuge – we will therefore say in the face of death, “Where is your victory and where is your sting that has been swallowed by Christ’s dying and rising again.” Powers, nor height nor depth or anything else conceivable will ever be able to separate us from the One to Whom we’ve been eternally joined as co-heirs.