It was a statement, a definition of how things were.  For my kids, it was a quick summary of the facts of life.  They understood it in terms of ‘owing favors’.  “If you wash the dishes this time, then you get to decide tonight’s movie,” is a common weekend arrangement in our house.  Though this proverb had more to do with social classes and financial hierarchy, I think they got the point.

 

When we looked for Jesus, we saw that He showed us a different Way.  In this world and in many cultures, the rich do rule over the poor, but in the Kingdom of God, Mathew 5:1-12 gives us a different understanding of a different economy.  In His Kingdom, it is not to the rich that inherit anything, but to the poor, humble, and meek who shall inherit the earth.  In His Kingdom, we are all the ‘borrowers’ of Jesus’ righteousness, Romans 3:23.  And though we, like Paul in Romans 1:1, are servants to such a glorious Lender, in His Kingdom, He calls us sons and daughters, 2 Corinthians 6:18.

 

So, suffice to say, yes this Proverb is right.  It is an accurate description of how things work, but Jesus fulfilled that economy on the cross and paid all our debts.  He provided a way for us to be free of its burden- meant to oppress, and He lifts up the downtrodden- meant to bless and reinstate us as citizens of His Kingdom.

 

It’s hard for the rich to even enter His Kingdom, Matthew 19:23.