The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly (Prov

"The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly" (Prov. 18:23). This scripture can be applied to a whole lot more things than someone just being rich monetarily. If you observe things, you will see that anyone who has any kind of advantage over others in any way, will generally act like it. After all, who needs to watch how they are dealing with other people if they don't have to? Maybe somebody should consider Jesus and the example he left for us all to follow: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philip. 2:5-8). If anyone had advantages, it was surely Jesus. He was the "only begotten" of the Father before he ever came here, and was higher than anyone else in heaven other than his Father (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:2,4). Not to mention that he created all things that exist, both in heaven and in earth (Jn. 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16). I would have to say that it's a good thing for us that he didn't "answer roughly."

There is a very good reason that Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mat. 5:3). As the previously quoted scripture says, we need to be minded of those around us the way Jesus was minded of us; meaning that we should NOT be of a mind to "answer roughly." The "poor in spirit" always "use intreaties" with God, and never exalt themselves to crassness with others, regardless of seeming advantage. In fact the holy Ghost will humble those who are led by it, when in a situation of advantage with someone else. Indeed someone operating in the mind of the Spirit will conduct themselves according to the following scripture: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philp. 2:3). Of course there are times when someone who is walking in the Spirit should wax bold against opposition of wickedness and deceit, and some will undoubtedly say that they are being harsh or coarse. Nonetheless if the contrary part acknowledges their wrong, that boldness will turn again to gentleness and meekness. So then what is the moral of the story? The next time you feel that you are in a position of advantage with someone, act like you are not. In other words, "all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Mat. 7:12). Amen.