Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. NIV
Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. NKJV
There is an old Chinese saying that the wealthy who live in the deep jungles have friends coming from afar, but the poor who live by the road side do not have any visitor. It reminds us of the tendency of our human nature: to make friends with those who are wealthy and influential, while ignoring those who are poor and powerless.
Likewise, scripture warns us about such discrimination in Proverbs 19: 7
The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
Recently, however, I was impressed by a poor family who are different. A poor friend from Malacca, whom I've known for more than twenty years, who had to work very hard, a sole-breadwinner, earning limited wages to raise four children in a simple home. We met his family in church back in the early 80s, and my children attended Sunday School with his children.
Last week, his second son, who had just graduated from a local university three years ago, and who had increasing assumed the role of new "breadwinner" in the family, passed away in Malacca Hospital after suffering from an unknown illness for more than a month. Despite numerous tests and examinations, the doctors failed to find the cause for his high fever, vomitting, diarrhoea etc, and his subsequent lapse into coma and swelling of his brain.
Finally, the young man went home to be with our Lord Jesus.
It was indeed a sad story. My poor friend had lost a promising young son whom he had worked so hard to raise and educate, and who had just begun to help alleviate the difficult circumstances in the family. He could see poverty in his future, all over again.
But my poor Malaccan friend had something which I didn't quite expect he'd have. He has many friends, and many of them are wealthier than him.
Contrary to the old Chinese proverb about the poor man by the road-side, my Malaccan friend had many visitors during the funeral of his second son. People, both rich and not-so-rich came from afar to offer their condolences. They came to console him in his grief, and to join him in his bereavement. Some who couldn't make the long journey to Malacca, sent him gifts - generous sums of money. Even a University Professor who had taught his son before, sent him a wreath from Korea.
All his friends share one thing in common with him: they are all believers in Jesus Christ. After the funeral, my Malaccan friend called me. He was overjoyed, and besides saying "thank you" very warmly for my small token of condolences, he went on to relate to me his joy over having so many people visiting him and comforting him in his hour of grief.
This poor Malaccan friend has friends who don't set their minds on money. He has friends who are willing to associate with a poor man like him. They are his real friends, who serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God, our Father in heaven.
Thanks be to God our Heavenly Father, that under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we have the power to repent from this worldly love of money. Instead of serving money as our master, we serve God. And as such, we no longer set our mind on "high things" but, instead, we are willing to associate with the humble.
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 15:5
In the Kingdom of God, the poor has many friends.
