As Poor Yet Making Many Rich: Can one be poor and make others rich?
Can one be poor and yet make others rich?
What do you think?
Let me explain what I mean by rich.
Being rich here does not always means money rich. Riches can be material or immaterial possession. It can be spiritual or natural. It can be a state of well-being - wellness, wholeness, life in abundance etc. It can be elevation of status that create riches etc.
So, yes it is possible.
There are positive and negative sides to the poor making others rich. In this blog and following ones, I am going to share five [5] perspective of how people are enriched by the poor – Three [3] positives and two [2] two negatives. I will share what to do to keep doing good and how to avoid the negative aspects.
Let’ s examine the first example – A positive effect.
Situation#1 Servant girl and the Soldier
A young servant girl saw the pain and agony of her mistress’s husband who was suffering from leprosy.
Leprosy is a debilitating disease that attacks the nerve system, desensitizing it so that the leper has no sensation of the exterior limbs. It deforms and paralyzes. Lepers are often separated from the public and ostracized to the outskirt of the town.
And the soldier was not an ordinary soldier. He was a mighty warrior who brought lots of victory to the land. Perhaps, different methods of healing have been sought. But no solution. The situation was getting worst day by day.
The servant girl approached her mistress. She spoke something to the effect - I know of a healer who can heal the master. That simple statement led to a series of actions that eventually healed the master. He was cleansed when he dipped himself seven times in a river as prescribed by a prophet of God.
Who could have thought that dipping in a river would be the cure for the Leprosy? Can you imagine life with leprosy?
The pains, agony affecting the skin. Loss of sensation and deformities? Now that health is restored, can you also imagine the wellness and wholeness of the master? Vision for work and passion for life
If you asked the master if he were richer or poorer as a result of the servant’s girl’s recommendation, what do you suppose he would say? Of course, richer! In fairness to the soldier master, he offered gift to the prophet which the prophet of God refused. But there is no record, he did the same to the servant girl.
APPLICATION:
There are many people who are rich today, perhaps seating in the position of power because they had new life to pursue their life dream. And the new life came by a well taken advice, a prayer of righteous person, who was often thought as a lowly poor person.
Is this you?
If as a business leader, CEO, or manager you have benefited from such a blessing, from someone whom you have looked at as poor, lowly, and someone to take advantage of with dubious schemes.
“Can one be poor and yet make others rich?
What do you think?
Let me explain what I mean by rich.
Being rich here does not always means money rich. Riches can be material or immaterial possession. It can be spiritual or natural. It can be a state of well-being - wellness, wholeness, life in abundance etc. It can be elevation of status that create riches etc.
So, yes it is possible.
There are positive and negative sides to the poor making others rich. In this blog and following ones, I am going to share five [5] perspective of how people are enriched by the poor – Three [3] positives and two [2] two negatives. I will share what to do to keep doing good and how to avoid the negative aspects.
Let’ s examine the first example – A positive effect.
Situation#1 Servant girl and the Soldier
A young servant girl saw the pain and agony of her mistress’s husband who was suffering from leprosy.
Leprosy is a debilitating disease that attacks the nerve system, desensitizing it so that the leper has no sensation of the exterior limbs. It deforms and paralyzes. Lepers are often separated from the public and ostracized to the outskirt of the town.
And the soldier was not an ordinary soldier. He was a mighty warrior who brought lots of victory to the land. Perhaps, different methods of healing have been sought. But no solution. The situation was getting worst day by day.
The servant girl approached her mistress. She spoke something to the effect - I know of a healer who can heal the master. That simple statement led to a series of actions that eventually healed the master. He was cleansed when he dipped himself seven times in a river as prescribed by a prophet of God.
Who could have thought that dipping in a river would be the cure for the Leprosy? Can you imagine life with leprosy?
The pains, agony affecting the skin. Loss of sensation and deformities? Now that health is restored, can you also imagine the wellness and wholeness of the master? Vision for work and passion for life
If you asked the master if he were richer or poorer as a result of the servant’s girl’s recommendation, what do you suppose he would say? Of course, richer! In fairness to the soldier master, he offered gift to the prophet which the prophet of God refused. But there is no record, he did the same to the servant girl.
APPLICATION:
There are many people who are rich today, perhaps seating in the position of power because they had new life to pursue their life dream. And the new life came by a well taken advice, a prayer of righteous person, who was often thought as a lowly poor person.
Is this you?
If as a business leader, CEO, or manager you have benefitted from such a blessing, from someone whom you have looked at as poor, lowly, and someone to take advantage of with dubious schemes.
“ Listen to me dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! - James 2:5a, NLT.
And perhaps even despised due to their socioeconomic status, culture, color, or language, it would be a great display of integrity and humility to acknowledge them and pay restitution. Let them know how their advice, prayer, or whatever they did improve your life. If you can do that, you will indeed be honoring God because it was God working through them to bless you.
Conclusion. Because of pride and greed, it is difficult for some leaders to admit the fact of being enriched by the wisdom of a lowly poor person. Do not despise the lowly person in rank. If you receive an idea from a subordinate or a lowly person that benefited you, and your business please don’t discount it. Don’t mistake their perceived poverty as opportunity to prey on them. They are not poor, but rich in faith and generous towards God. They are just being faithful to God. Don’t take them for granted. If you do, sooner or later, you will give an account because you are dealing with God.
To the giver, I say don’t be weary of doing good. When you see others prospering as a result of your gift. Don’t accept the label of being poor either. God created you as His wealthy image bearer. Wait on God for your reward. It will surely come. God loves a cheerful giver.
The poor person faithfulness and the expression of gratitude to the maidservant are both honoring to God. This is God’s way of working in the lives of both the poor and the rich to fulfill His will. They both serve the larger purpose of God. God is the God of the poor and the rich, and it is He who gives the good and perfect gift, no matter how small or big in our eyes.
God has a vision, intent, and purpose for both the poor and the rich. Both are serving God’s grand vision.
Give thanks to God!
Read more of the story in the Bible – 2 Kings 5
