333. PSA 37:16. THE HAPPINESS OF RIGHTEOUS POVERTY

Psa_37:16. The Happiness of Righteous Poverty

"A little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked."’97Psa_37:16.

We must not judge of any person’s real estate, by his temporal condition. Reason and sense would lead us to call the rich and the great highly favored and happy; and the poor, the objects of Divine disregard, and of misery. Divine revelation teaches us a very different doctrine. We are not to judge by external appearances; God sends his blessings upon all men, &c., pagans, idolaters, savages, &c., all are blessed in the things of this life; besides, however dissimilar the circumstances of the righteous, theirs is infinitely the better state. "A little," &c.

I. The Condition of the Righteous in point of temporal Things, is often inferior to that of the Wicked.

It is not, however, always so; Abraham, Joseph, David, are exceptions to this. We see it was so,

1. In the case of the Israelites in Egypt.

Poor, oppressed slaves.

2. It was so in the days of the Saviour.

Parents of Jesus, disciples, friends, &c., generally poor.

3. It is so in the present age of the world.

Very few of the people of God are rich, &c. Now, the Scriptures have expressly declared it shall be so, Jam_2:5, 1Co_1:26, &c. The reason is obvious; riches and earthly dignity elevate men above the simplicity and lowliness of mind essential to true religion.

II. However little the Righteous may have, it is better than the Riches of the Wicked.

1. The responsibility for possessing a little is not equal to the responsibility of possessing much.

"Where much is given," &c. God is the great proprietor of all things, we are only stewards.

2. The perils of possessing little are not equal to the perils of possessing much.

"If riches increase," &c. Now this passage implies danger, &c., 1Ti_6:9. "Love of money is the root," &c.; see the young man who came to Christ.

3. The righteous have the blessing of God with all their possessions, but the curse of God is in the dwellings of the wicked.

God’s presence and favor are theirs. See Pharaoh and the Israelites.

4. The righteous, with their little, are truly happy, which the wicked, however rich, cannot possibly be.

"I have learned," &c.; "Godliness with contentment," &c. Their desires are moderate; they feel they are pilgrims, &c. "No peace, saith my God, to the wicked."

5. The righteous possess spiritual treasure.

They are rich for eternity. The wicked, though rich, shall be poor and miserable forever. The righteous are heirs to a kingdom; heirs of eternal glory. How poor the wicked are at death. Rich man and Lazarus.

Application

1. Let the pious poor be comforted.

2. Let all strive to be rich in grace.

3. The end of life is to lay up treasure in heaven.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS