Joe made a perfect point. There is no virture in being either poor or Rich, if you can "pick it up" you can see through the words used speak of pride and arrogance. Actually the fear of the Lord IS to hate "evil" and that is to hate pride and arrogancy. God resists the proud but giveth grace to the humble. One is judged as Rich, the other Poor and theres much more to link these concerning their "place" and how they are "discerned" and what they do and how they behave.
Heres something for your consideration if looking for the spiritual application.
Prov 13:7 There is that "maketh himself rich", "yet[/u]" hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, "yet[/u]" hath great riches.[/u]
Prov 10:22 The blessing[/i] of the LORD, "it[/u]" maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it[/u]
2Cr 6:10 As "sorrowful", yet "alway rejoicing"; as poor, yet "making many rich"; as "having nothing", and yet possessing all things.[/i]
The "treasure" in earthen vessels
The Lord made "both" Rich and poor. Kinda like an "inflation process" and a "deflation process" (laughing a bit) God knows exactly what He is doing. Its the setting up for the "falling and rising again" (become a fool that one might become wise type thing)
Psalm 49:16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased[/u];
Psalm 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: "his glory" shall not descend after him.
Psalm 49:20 Man that is "in honour[/i]", and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Prov 18:11 The rich man's wealth IS his strong city[/i], and AS an "high wall" in his own conceit.[/i]
Prov 18:23 The poor "useth intreaties[/i]"; but "the rich" answereth roughly.
Prov 28:11 The rich man "is wise in his own conceit"; but "the poor" "that hath understanding" searcheth him out.[/u][/i] :idea:
Jesus speaks of "the evil eye"
Prov 8:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and "considereth not" that poverty shall come upon him.[/i][/u]
Rev 13:17 Because thou sayest, "I am rich", and increased with goods, and have need of nothing[/u]; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: ...Without love one is nothing
Keep in mind "knowledge puffed up" and pride goeth before destruction and "the above" in the Rich mans "increase" timeless truths
Job 31:12 For it is a fire that consumeth "to destruction", and would root out[/i] all mine increase.[/i] (not rich toward God, His name)
Luke 1:53 He hath "filled the hungry with good things"; and "the rich" he hath sent empty away.[/u]
Prov 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom[/u][/i].
Thinking one knows something not really knowing as he ought, paradox really. The Spirit knoweth all things and these are given us by Him to know. Then theres thinking one knows and not knowing as they ought.
Neat way our Lord words things
Luke 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even "that he hath" shall be taken away from him.[/i][/u]
Kinda like "Peter Pan" :lol: (taking from the Rich giving to the poor)
Think of "My River is MINE, for my OWN Glory and my OWN Honour" Written throughout. Pride and humility is everywhere in scripture.
Peace
Daniel