In Proverbs, chapter fourteen, verse thirty-one, whosoever mistreats or takes advantage of a poor person offends God and shows contempt for Him. The poor are also made in the image of God, as in Genesis nine, verse six, and are objects of His special mercy and concern, as in Deuteronomy fifteen, verse eleven. The New Testament reveals that the gospel must be proclaimed to the poor, as in Matthew eleven, verse five, Acts four, verse thirteen, and James two, verse five. Note that Jesus Christ identified Himself with the poor, as in Luke two, verse seven, Second Corinthians eight, verse nine, and Philippians two, verse seven, respectively.
The theme is, “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” People who oppress the poor are wealthy, as in the first part of Proverbs twenty-two, verse sixteen, “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches.” However, these rich people oppress others who are not wealthy like them and continue to live unsettled lives because their minds and focus are on their wealth, and many in this position are not able to receive from God. The difference between the poor and rich is that they are easy to receive from God because they do not have anything occupying their heart and minds.
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew nineteen, verse twenty-three. The prime example is the rich young ruler who kept all the good values but could not keep the Word Jesus gave him. In Luke eighteen, verse twenty-four, “And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, He said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”