If you make fun of poor people, you insult the God who made them… —Proverbs 17:5a (GNT)
One of the things I have learned from the scriptures is to never make fun of people going through financial struggles. Why? Because as our opening text says, “If you make fun of poor people, you insult the God who made them…” (Proverbs 17:5a, GNT). Unfortunately, this is not the case today. When people are struggling, others say all kinds of things—that they are lazy, have bad financial habits, or are just not fortunate.
I didn’t think people could talk like this until I heard it myself in a group I belonged to. We were trying to help some members who were not doing well, and one of the well-to-do members said he doesn’t put his money into such things. He told them to stop being lazy and “go and hustle,” claiming he had hustled his own way out of similar situations. He sounded wise, but he didn’t understand that success is ultimately about God’s grace and mercy.
Now, we do not endorse laziness, reckless spending, or idleness. But at the same time, we must not say such negative things about people. Even if you think someone is lazy, do not mock them. Instead, pray for them and help them find a way to start from somewhere.
It is wrong to make fun of people. It is God who shows mercy. Sometimes, people can be hardworking and smart but still be broke. You might not know the efforts they have put in over the years, and it’s easy to think it’s all about human strength.
But when you study the scriptures carefully, you understand that men don’t prevail by strength but by grace. The Bible says, “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Romans 9:16, NKJV). The Good News Translation puts it better: “So then, everything depends, not on what we humans want or do, but only on God’s mercy” (Romans 9:16, GNT).
This is the reason you should never make fun of people going through financial struggles. Instead, pray for them, and if you cannot help, intercede for them. That intercession may be all they need to get on their feet. Hallelujah!
Today’s Rhema
If you can’t help people financially, don’t make fun of them; instead, pray for them!
Confession for the Day
Father, I am grateful for teaching me this wonderful truth. I choose to help, pray for, and encourage others, not discourage or make fun of them. I declare that as I do this, I receive mercy and grace, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
