Poor Rich Man/ Poor Man, Rich

By Rhiannonw

Fri, 21 Jul 2017
  • 1153 reads
2 comments
 

Poor rich man, loved for all his cash,
poor rich man, fears a rat-race crash,
poor rich man, full of tread-mill stress,
wishing now for less.

Poor rich girl, clothes and “friends” galore,
poor rich girl, always wanting more,
poor rich girl, life of glitter, shallow,
glitz and glamour hollow.

Poor man, rich in faithful friends,
poor man, values what God sends
– succour, and sees past things transient,
and has found content.

Poor girl, rich in steadfastness,
poor girl, rich in godliness,
poor girl, rich in prayer and faith,
rich in things of worth.

Looking at his disciples, he said, ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.’ Luke 6:20

 

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Comments

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

In some  people luxury creates an induced sense of necessity.'Always wanting more' is astute'

But does being poor always lead to goodness? I think that sometimes it leads to anger and self-pity.However I have more tolerance for miserable poor people than I do towards miserable rich people.smiley

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Elsie, insightful and thoughtful comment. No, of course, being poor doesn't always lead to goodness, or to prayer and trust, either. I purposely put the quote where Jesus 'looking at his disciples' said … to encourage them, as they were poor in material things, that they must not covet worldly riches when they had so much at present in his grace, and a rich eternal future. Elsewhere, he indicates the need for the materially poor and the materially rich to be aware of their poverty of spirit, and their need to pray for God's grace and forgiveness. And that it can be harder for those who are rich in worldly goods to hold them lightly, use them prayerfully and wisely, and recognise their dependence on God for all, including still their daily bread. So easy to be content and too feverishly busy when you are making money

I think my pity for the rich people described is that they do not realise what they are missing, maybe until too late, even of greater peace away from the rat-race encouraged by their 'friends'.

Rhiannon