Rich Man Poor Man“Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.” (2 Chronicles 17:3-5) Back in 1976 there was a TV mini-series starring Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte about two brothers called Rich Man, Poor Man. All of us would like to be the Rich Man but we see too many are having riches but no peace because they are not doing it God’s way. Unless God makes us rich, we are not truly rich for “the blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22). God is a God of riches, He is rich in goodness (Romans 2:4), rich in glory “...and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,” (Romans 9:23), rich in grace: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;” (Ephesians 1:7), and rich in mercy: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,” (Ephesians 2:4). The riches of God will more than supply all of our needs (Philippians 4:19) and God reminds us to “command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17) God is no respecter of persons, if He is with us then we'll also have riches and honor like King Jehoshaphat. It is God’s will that we possess riches and honor in abundance when we know Him intimately and obey His Word. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.” (Romans 10:12). A Poor Man is someone who doesn’t know God, doesn’t obey His Word, ignores the building of God’s house and is working hard to get riches with his own power but the Rich Man who obeys the Word doesn’t have to. “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:6). If we serve God and obey His Word, He’ll be with us in all our ways and bless us so we’ll become rich and favored like Joseph, who had favor even when he was a slave or in prison. “The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.” (Genesis 39:2-4)Copyright © 2002 Eddy Ministries. All rights reserved. Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
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