Do we show partiality? Do we show it to the rich? To the poor? To the gifted? To public figures? God directs us to share the burdens of others. If we are asked to go one mile we are to go two with them. To love our enemies. If our enemy is hungry we are to feed them. If they are thirsty give them water to drink.
James 2:6-9 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the Royale law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
Greed often blinds some to the plight of others.
James 5:3-4 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
The Jewish people hated the tax collectors because they took more than they needed and were told to collect. Today we complain about prices yet we do not look to the ones raising them. Who decides what a business will charge? Does not all owners of a business or corporation have the control to decide what his price will be?
1 Timothy 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.
Ecclesiastes 5:13 There is a sever evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his own hurt.
Proverbs 15:27 The greedy bring ruin to their households but the one who hates bribes will live.
Proverbs 28:25 The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
Do we look for the fruit of the Spirit? Words can be deceiving. Wait upon the Lord and He will make your path straight.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Proverbs 7:7-9 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehoods and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with the food allotted to me; least I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.
Are the burdens of life lighter when they are shared?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right but it leads to poverty.
Do we use wisdom and understanding?
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.
Do we use self control?
Proverbs 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
Pray without ceasing.
