“The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.” (Proverbs 22:2 ESV).
Solomon observed that in life, the rich and the poor cannot avoid one another. For the Hebrew is simple and direct: “the rich and poor meet.” This “meeting” could describe the marketplace, the streets, or even their places of worship, where economic status is visible yet their lives are inescapably intertwined. However, Solomon points to a deeper reality that regardless of social or financial standing, all people share the same Maker. God created both the wealthy and the needy in His image, and therefore both deserve dignity and respect. This proverb humbles the rich, who might be tempted to boast in their abundance, and consoles the poor, who might be tempted to despair in their lack. It also points forward to the gospel, where the ground is level at the cross. As James wrote, “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation” (James 1:9–10). The ultimate “meeting” place of rich and poor is not in the marketplace or city gate, but at the cross of Christ, where all called to repent and believe.
We live in a world obsessed with status symbols and material wealth, yet the gospel calls us to see people differently. Whether rich or poor, each person bears God’s image and is in need of God’s salvation. We are tempted to elevate those with resources and overlook those without, but this proverb reminds us that we all share the same Creator and Judge. At the cross, we also discover that we share the same need for a Savior. Christ’s blood was shed for both the affluent and the destitute, for the powerful and the powerless. All who approach the cross must recognize their common need. All who would receive salvation must recognize their common Lord, who is the Maker and Savior of us all.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are the Maker of all. Forgive us when we judge others by outward appearances. Help us to remember that each person is made in Your image and worthy of dignity and respect. Teach us to walk in humility, gratitude, and love, whether we have much or little. In Jesus’ name, amen.