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Topic: Don’t Rob The Poor!
[DCLM Daily Manna 20 July 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Proverbs 22:16-29 (KJV)
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Key Verse: “Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate” (Proverbs 22:22).
MESSAGE:
God, our Creator, has given severe warning to the rich and influential to desist from robbing the poor and oppressing the afflicted and downtrodden.
The plight of man is to exploit the weak, poor and ignorant folks around him and reduce them to puppets, serving only his interest. The strong and mighty in almost all human societies have often violated the rights and reduced the privileges of those who cannot challenge them.
The result of this unjust treatment is attendant upheavals such as strife, agitations, protests, conflicts and wars which have become common occurrences around the globe today.
Social injustice is the root cause of many catastrophes known in human history. Its spiritual effect is more devastating in time and eternity for those who delight in the oppression of the poor and the lowly members of the society.
The God of truth and justice hates oppression and turns His hands and attention against wicked oppressors of His children. Indeed, “…the way of the wicked he turneth upside down” (Psalm 146:9).
Prophet Isaiah made more scathing remarks about those oppressors, “Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!” (Isaiah 10:1, 2).
God hates oppression and we should not overtly or covertly use it on others – whether rich or poor. Honour should be given to all.
Thought For The Day: Do not add more pain to aching souls.
The Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 5-8
