Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
This shows what evil courses rich men sometimes take, by which, in the end, they will impoverish themselves and provoke God, notwithstanding their abundance, to bring them to want; they oppress the poor and give to the rich. 1. They will not in charity relieve the poor, but withhold from them, that by saving that which is really the best, but which they think the...
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches,.... By taking away from them the little they have; by keeping back their hire, defrauding them of the just wages of their labours; or by usury and extortion, or any other unjust method, whereby they distress the poor, and enrich themselves; and he that giveth to the rich shall surely come to want: that gives to...
These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur punishment.