The Rich vs. the Poor

In both Africa and the United States, the chasm between the super-rich and everyone else represents an economic imbalance that reveals spiritual problems under the surface. A new Oxfam report shows that Africa’s elite control trillions in wealth, while its underclass endures hunger and lack of education and opportunities to prosper slowly vanish (July 9, 2025). This mirrors the American landscape, where the top ten percent hold approximately two-thirds of the nation’s wealth (Statista, October 29, 2024), while tens of millions face challenging barriers to economic mobility. The prophet Isaiah denounced such imbalances arising from greed and a lack of concern for our fellow man, crying, “Woe to those who join house to house… till there is no place” (Isaiah 5:8). Solomon also described how corrupt governance promotes suffering and unrest (Proverbs 29:2). But this is too often how this world operates—the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.

In contrast, Jesus taught a different frame of mind: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The Scriptures teach us that we should love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18) and ancient Israel was commanded, “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty” (Leviticus 19:15). Promoting fairness and impartiality is adhering to divine order. When nations fail to rule justly, people suffer and society crumbles.

The Living Church of God has long made the truth of God available to all who desire it, rich or poor, by making all our literature available free of charge. You can learn more about biblical economics by reading our free study guide God’s People Tithe!