He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory. –  I Samuel 2:8

Read:  II Corinthians 8:9; I Samuel 2:8

An in-depth study of the word of God identifies certain levels in the wealth spectrum:  (1) The abjectly poor. This is from the Greek word Pto?chos:  it is one who in abjectness needs lifting; one who has fallen from a better estate.  The Pto?chos is so poor that he can only obtain his living by begging.  He is destitute of wealth, influence, position, & honor; helpless, and powerless to accomplish an end. He is usually on the governmental welfare system and depends on gifts from others to make basic ends meet. It could also mean someone who was previously wealthy but fell on bad times. This person cannot keep a roof over his head or even eat without help. This is the word used in Luke 4:18.  But the great news is, Jesus said that the Father sent Him to the Pto?chos:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…” I bet Jesus is saying you don’t have to be poor ‘no more,’ Hallelujah!  (2) Those who have, but not enough; they are not on welfare.  The Greek word Pene?s describes someone who is poor; someone who toils for daily subsistence; he may be poor but he earns his bread by daily labor. The Pene?s has nothing superfluous, while the Pto?chos has nothing at all.  But again in 2 Corinthians 9:9, the bible says Jesus gives gifts to the poor: “As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.” It is so wonderful to know that whatever kind of insufficiency we may be in, Jesus came to give us life “more abundantly.” He came to take us from “the dunghill” to sit us “among princes,” the next level. Rejoice child of God, for there is hope!  He is our Shepherd, we shall not want.