God’s Word for Today

24 Jul, 2025

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor,

is a beating rain that leaves no food.

-Prov 28:3 ESV

WHEN THE POOR BECOMES AN OPPRESSOR

Certainly, rain can nourish crops. However, a heavy rain may cause flooding a field and destroy plants. Sadly, what could have been a good thing becomes a curse. In a similar way, those who are poor could work for one another's mutual benefit. But, when one of those poor persons take advantage of the other, instead of blessing, he will do a great harm. Some scholars suggest this would happen when a formerly poor ruler forgets his humble origins and takes advantage of the people. They become unconscionable. In either case, an abusive poor person does great harm when he thinks only of his own benefit.

In the New Testament, Jesus relates a parable about an unreasonable and unforgiving servant: a man who begs his master to forgive his debt, then cruelly assaults another servant who owes him money.

“ 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Mat 18:23 –35).

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday