A Lecture on Abundance

Proverbs 13:23 (KJV) Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

There’s a theme going through this chapter in Proverbs.  It’s expressed many different ways.  It’s the idea that there is adequate resource in our world to take care of the needs of the people in it.  In response to that there are many reasons given for why people don’t have what they need.

This one is pretty indirect in one sense.  In another is very clear.  The NASB talks about oppression, which is another way of saying that there was no correct judgment.  The policies of government and the actions of the wealthy and powerful create conditions which really work against the benefit of common people.  Here the common people are identified as the poor.  In this case, it looks like they are the working, or deserving, poor.  They have the land.  They have the ability to produce food, but it is made impossible by social forces.

Another part of that is that sometimes people are too willing to take the handout of government and it siphons off any initiative and productivity they might have.  We’ve seen that in the recent restrictions on the welfare being given out by the government.  People have been conditioned to dependence.  They didn’t know how to function anymore when the government removed it’s helping hand.

So?  Be aware of the need for government responsibility but also the call for each and every one of us to do our part in providing for ourselves in our families.  

Attribute or Action

Proverbs 28:16 (KJV) The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

Yeah, we have another one of those chicken or the egg scenarios.  Which comes first, being an oppressor or lacking understanding?

People are very quick to attack free enterprise and capitalism because they see the disparities of wealth.  My belief is that many of the early capitalist, the ones often called robber barons, were very much aware of the difference between building wealth and oppressing the poor.  Some point out the attitude or philosophy of zero sum economics as opposed to the ability to generate wealth.

The one who has understanding, the one who has wealth, the one who has power understands that it will be better for everyone, not just himself, if he is not an oppressor.  Henry Ford understood that if his workers could not afford to buy his car, then he would not sell very many cars.

So?  As you pursue life, pursue wisdom.  Pursue understanding.  And of course, that starts with the values and balance shown in the scripture.  

Justice vs Judgement

(Pro 13:23 KJV)  Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

This is a case where the KJV and the NASB have different spins on the translation.  The KJV translates two words as “want” (3808) of “judgement” (4941).  The NASB combines them into “injustice”.  The nod for accuracy goes to the... KJV.  This is important because the two translations leave totally different impressions on our modern minds.

The key is this word translated “judgement” or “justice”.  Although the KJV uses the English word “justice” 28 times, only once is it this word.  Usually it is a substitution for the basic word for “righteousness”.  The overwhelming translation is a form of “judgement” (297).  The NASB has forms of “justice” as the most common (122x), followed by the “judgement” family (103) and “ordinance” (108).  

Why do I go into this?  Because in the KJV we see that we are open to understand that the reason some people are poor is because they exercise poor judgment.  Obviously the wealthy elites stack the deck in their favor but we need to understand that there are more people living in destitution because of their own bad choices than could be sent their by the bourgeoisie.  The one sided argument putting all the onus on the rich is Marxism, not Biblical.

So?  Don’t accept the mindset of being a victim.  I see people claiming to be Vietnam veterans claiming victimhood and demanding handouts.  As a Vietnam veteran myself I have to realize that it probably wasn’t the war that made them put their hand out. 

Apply the Antidote

(Proverbs 3:31 KJV)  Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

In our politically correct times the KJV would be a poster slogan.  It talks about the “oppressor” (376/2555).  One of the mantras of the political left is oppression and the greedy rich.  They might even like the NASB with its “man (376) of violence (2555), which is a more literal translation.  Those of us on the right might get a little tired of the way the warning is misused.  The problem is that when we are reacting to the perversion of the principle we often are also guilty of ignoring the problem.

Christmas is past at this point but the music of Christmas should teach us all year.  Take these words from the third verse of “O Holy Night”,

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Just because people take the concept of “justice” and twist it for their personal agenda does not mean that we are allowed to ignore it.  Oppression is real.  It is not just a social issue of rich and poor.  It takes places in families and in churches. 

So?  The antidote to oppression is not more federal regulations it is an application of Christian love.  You can’t oppress someone when you are being patient, kind, and so forth.  Apply the behavior that God has shown us.

Poor Excuses

(Proverbs 28:3 KJV)  A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

What is worse than oppression by the rich and powerful?  Oppression by the “poor” (7236) and those even lower on the pecking order.  Why is it worse?  Partly is the brainwashing we have received about greedy rich people.  Greed and oppression are actions that come out of the heart, not the bank balance.  What do you call it when a bunch of young men with their pants hanging low use community tragedy as an excuse to break into the businesses of their equally poor neighbors and steal them blind?  Is it oppression by the rich?  Open your eyes.

So?  We should be spending time examining our own actions, motives and heart condition rather than condemning others.  Remember the observation of the man Jesus saw in the temple being grateful he was not as other men.  Jesus was not pleased. 

Troubled Fountains

(Proverbs 25:26 KJV)  A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

If you are standing up for righteousness you know what it is to be attacked.  Until recently that has been a personal thing for the most part.  Sometimes the attack comes from other church people.  Sometimes it has come from family members.  Sometimes it is just misunderstanding.  Other times it has been vicious.

It is moving to another level.  With the conquest of public education by the secular forces the war on Christians is becoming something backed by the courts and the government.  Did you read the headline about soldiers being court-martialed for sharing their faith?  Have you been reading about how the Catholic church had to withdraw from the foster care system because they refused to cave in to the homosexual lobby?  Have you been paying attention?

How we respond makes a difference.  This verse warns us against taking the easy way out.  It tells us that we become “troubled” (trampled NASB) (7511) and “corrupt” (polluted NASB) (7843).  That doesn’t sound good.

So?  Start preparing your mind and heart.  Are you going to stand up and be counted or are you going to betray your Lord and Savior.  If it sneaks up on you and you blow it, repent and get on with life because it will come again. 

Violence or Valor

(Proverbs 3:31 KJV)  Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Why would we “envy” (7065) a “man” (376) who is an “oppressor" (violence NASB) (2555)?  That is a good question, but we do it all the time.  

But we do envy.  I don’t go to the movies much and I never watch TV unless someone else has it on but I do read action novels.  There is something in us that enjoys watching or reading about men of violence.  It is such a part of the macho culture we see around us.  We are part of that culture.

The condemnation is not of soldiers and protectors.  All you need to do is do a search for the term “mighty men of valor” in the KJV and you will come up with hundreds of listings such as,

(Joshua 1:14 KJV)  Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;

Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament condemns the soldier who is doing his duty.  The problem is the person who lives by that violence. 

So?  Know and recognize the difference.  Violence for violence sake is to be avoided.  Defense of the weak and righteous is expected.  Sometimes that requires mighty men of valor. 

Real Solutions to Poverty

(Proverbs 23:21 KJV)  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Poverty is a topic that is used frequently to manipulate people today.  Politicians and social reformers work it regularly.  Most of them tend to be selling some kind of snake oil that will take care of the problem if we will just give them enough power or money.  They get more power, they use it, the problem gets worse.  We give more money, it gets spent and the problem gets worse.  Oppression and greed are issues.  They are one form of sin. 

There is another angle that the Bible brings up:  personal accountability.  In this verse three lifestyles lay the groundwork for “poverty” (3423).  None of them are the actions of oppressors or greedy capitalists.  They are the actions that each one of us is accountable for.  We have the “drunkard” (heavy drinker NASB) (5433a) and “glutton” (2151b).  We have the lazy person who gives in to “drowsiness” (5124).

So?  Most of us are not powerful enough to make a difference in the big picture of society but we can make a difference in how we live and the example we set.  Booze, food and naps.  Three very real issues we can deal with in our lives.  Consider, don’t ignore. 

Who Is on Trial?

(Proverbs 22:23 KJV)  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

This is a verse that is full of potential.  It is potentially glorious if taken out of context and potentially damning if we read it as intended. 

Read in isolation it seems to be a promise.  It seems to be saying that God will be our defense attorney.  Who would not want the Lord to “plead their case” (7378)? 

Read the previous verse.  This is talking about God defending the poor when they are being oppressed.  We are told not to rob the poor because if we do will “spoil” (take NASB) (6906) our “soul” (life NASB) (5315).  This is another reminder of the meaning of that phrase in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal.  We are to treat others as brothers and not as inferior.

So?  Just a reminder.  There are times to be a leader.  There are times to be tough.  There are times to do what people don’t like.  But our inner heart must realize there is a difference between doing what is right and doing what is simple oppression. 

A Prince of an Oppressor

(Proverbs 28:16 KJV)  The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

Two issues come out to me in considering the different translations of this verse:  Vocabulary and word order.  I like the vocabulary of the NASB and the word order of the KJV.  Each offers a bit of confusion.

I don’t know if word order is important in the Hebrew.  I know it is not in Greek.  In English it is part of our understanding.  Here I think the KJV has the advantage.  The KJV points out that the “leader” (prince NASB) (5057) who lacks “understanding” (8394) becomes an “oppressor” (4642).  It is a given.

Leaders can be in any field.  Politics is obvious but we also have them in the world of education.  We have leaders in business and in the church.  It is important to pick leaders that have an understanding of God’s principles.  In organizations where you can’t pick your leaders, then pick your organization.

They can oppress in many ways.  We tend to think of economic and political oppression but I think that a teacher who is not in contact with truth and understanding can set up oppression based in ignorance. 

So?  Be careful whom you follow.  Elections are coming.  Be careful how you vote.  It is time to start thinking about it on all levels, city officials, judges, congress as well as president. 

Legal v Moral

(Proverbs 22:22 KJV)  Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

Again we see the command not to take advantage of the “poor” (1800b) or the “afflicted” (6041).  There is a certain mindset that lives nobly, unless they think they can get away with it.  In public they are fair and compassionate.  In the shadows they take every shortcut they can think of.  These people are spiritual bullies. 

This is one of those things that should not need to be said once, let alone repeated.  The fact that it is a theme indicates how easy it is for us to drift into sin and rationalization.  I wonder if “oppress” (crush NASB) (1792) implies that there are things that are legal but not moral.  They are not the same.  Many things that we can do legally are not acceptable for those who follow the Law of Liberty.

So?  Let me use an old cliche, “We march do a different drummer.”  Rejoice in that, don’t try to work around it. 

Justice 101

(Proverbs 13:23 KJV)  Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

There are two words here which grab our attention because we hear them used so much today.  We have the “poor” (7326) and we have “want of judgment” (injustice NASB) (3808/4941).  It is good to be reminded of the big picture here.  Put away any hidden meanings.  Don’t look for some of the deeper applications.  Sometimes the basic, bold, simple statement needs to jump out and bite us.

The poor of the world have a hard time getting a fair shake.  I personally think it is less of a problem in America but it is still a problem.  Money talks.  I was traveling with my son one time and we were going to the airport to catch our flight.  By some mistake the shuttle could not make it so we ended up in a limousine.  The driver was not happy, we thought it was kind of cool.  As we pulled up to the airport we saw one of the Disneyland lines in front of the counter.  As we regally stepped out of our carriage the red caps came rushing forward.  I would have waved them away.  I am a commoner at heart, but my son decided to play the role.  He took out a $20 and held it in his hand asking if we needed to stand in line.  It appears not.  All of our luggage was loaded on a trolley, my guitar was labeled as golf clubs and we were done.  It appears there are no lines for the rich.  Money talks.

So?  We can’t change life but we can do our best to treat people fairly.  We can decide not to be impressed by money and status.  We can refuse to be part of applied injustice in our actions today.  Greet the custodian like an equal.  That could cause a different kind of problem because he way think he is better they you.

Rich Man, Poor Man

(Proverbs 22:16 KJV)  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Verse 7 says the rich will rule over the poor.  That is a fact of life.  In a free society the names of the rich are constantly changing.  The one who is rich today may not be tomorrow.  The one who is poor today, through hard work and a few breaks, may be the rich of tomorrow.  Bill Gates was not born wealthy.  The children of the wealthy are famous for squandering what their parents built up.  We have a lot of freedom to pursue our dreams.  The problem with our sinful natures is that we take freedom and abuse it.  God is not angry at the rich but gets back at anyone who “oppresses” (6231) the “poor” (1800b).  The rich are in a position to do that.

Notice how this oppression is defined, you oppress to “make much” (7235a) for yourself.  Believers in Jesus are not luxury liners cruising for their own satisfaction.  We would build a business to provide jobs and produce a better life for others.  When you consider yourself too important then you don’t mind taking advantage of others. 

So?  How is this applied?  By giving good quality for a fair price.  By being willing to pay a fair price.  By being honest and open in your contracts.  By fulfilling your obligations and commitments.  Followers of Jesus Christ can get rich but they must do it in an honest way.  In Hell your paper money will burn and your gold will melt.  No wonder you can’t take it with you.

Oppression Is Not What You Think

(Proverbs 14:31 KJV)  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Have you ever tried to see how far you can drive your car without any correction on the steering wheel?  Aim as carefully as you can and lock your arms.  You will see that almost immediately the car begins to drift either right or left.  Maybe you have been successful in this, I have not.  And so it is in much of life.  We head in the right direction but tend to begin drifting one way or the other.  Constant alertness is necessary to keep “in the lane.”  Thus it is with me and the poor.  I react to what I see as attempts to manipulate the poor for political gain and tend to overlook verses like this that force me back into the lane.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are not to oppress the poor.  The world “oppresseth” (6231) the “poor” (1800b).  We are not to be like the world.  But we need to understand what it means to oppress someone.  Our culture of welfare and entitlements gets this word wreathed in emotional baggage that changes its meaning.   Webster defines this “To load or burden with unreasonable impositions; to treat with unjust severity, rigor or hardship....”  It is not oppression to expect able bodied people to work for their food.  It is oppression to expect them to pay taxes while the rich are totally exempt.  An example of the latter is David killing the lamb of the poor man to feed a visitor and exempting the flocks of the rich.  Oppression is not paying minimum wage for working at a fast food chain. It is not demonstrated by hiring teenagers to work in their yard and paying them less than union wages.  It is oppressive to hire illegal aliens to work for you and paying less than the going wage for that work, knowing they cannot complain. 

Most of us don’t face situations where we oppress the poor.  But we do contribute to situations that allow it.  Oppression can take the form of government handouts that weaken the moral fiber and independence of all levels of society.  People are trained to expect others to provide for them when they could be providing for themselves.  It creates poverty.  Oppression can be practiced in education.  Teachers who give students answers instead of requiring the student to find it themselves are oppressors.  Schools that force teachers to give passing grades when the student has not earned them are oppressors.  Forcing children into school and not giving them an education is oppressive.  I speak here from the position of a teacher watching it happen.

So?  Neither you nor I can right all the wrongs of our world.  We can work on our corner.  We can make sure that we are being honest and honorable with people.  We can vote for people who favor responsibility.  We can get involved in our local community.  Find a place to reduce oppression.

Poor Oppressors

(Proverbs 28:3 KJV)  A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

We generally think of the rich oppressing the “poor” (7326).  This points out a more realistic situation.  The poor man often “oppresses” (6231) the “poor” (second use) (lowly NASB) (1800b).  The KJV misses the difference here.  We frequently see comparisons and contrasts of different classes of people in Proverbs.  The surface issue is how much money they have.  We tend to see that because we are conditioned to see that.  It makes us feel more spiritual to believe that people who are wealthier than us are evil because of that.  After all, I am more spiritual so they must have gained their wealth through oppression and cheating, right?  Not necessarily.  Usually, if you look, the issue in the Bible will not be how much money they have but how they use it.

Here we have two different words used for those at the bottom of the social scale.  We find that sin rears its ugly head even for the “poor” (7326).  Even though he has no money he “oppresses” (6231) someone else.  What is the difference between the “poor” (7326) and the “lowly” (1800b)?  Both are at the bottom but they are different qualities.  They may even overlap, but they point to different situations.  The poor are those who have no money.  The lowly are those who are physically or emotionally weak.  If sin rules in your heart, you can always find someone to attack.

Historically I think of ex-slaves who went on to own slaves.  You don’t hear much about this but there were freed slaves who went on to own plantations and buy slaves to work them.  It is not politically correct to bring that up, but it happened.  Oppression is ultimately not based on money, race or nationality.  It is based on a sinful heart that refuses to love its neighbor and its enemy.

So?  Don’t fall for the class warfare based mantra about oppression.  Oppression exists.  But it is sin, not social status.  Look at your own attitudes and relationships.  Is there someone in your circle that you take advantage of?  Do you treat the waitress like a child of God?  Do you browbeat the clerk in the store when you are in a bad mood and know you can get away with it?  Do you provoke your own children?  Repent.  Seek forgiveness.  Change.