We have all heard at least a hundred sermons on giving money to the poor, but when was the last time you heard a pastor preaching on the poverty that awaits those who give their money to the rich?
This proverb deserves some pondering. What exactly did Solomon mean by this? Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible says:
“He that giveth to the rich shall surely come to want: that gives to those that are richer than he; or that are in greater power and authority, that they may protect him in the possession of his ill-gotten riches; yet, after all, it shall not thrive and prosper with him, it will all issue in poverty and want: or, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, ‘he shall give to one more rich, and shall want’; he shall be forced to give it to another richer than he, and of greater power, and so shall get nothing by his oppression of the poor; but as he has served the poor, so shall he be served himself, and be brought to beggary and want.”
Does this mean we shouldn’t tithe our money to missions organizations, churches, or ministries that have a bankroll over $1MM? Probably not. Because (assuming we are doing our research and prayerfully choosing where we give our tithes wisely) ...
