In the religious world, many are taught to view poverty as a virtue, yet the Scripture describes it as a form of bondage that limits the influence of the believer. There is a specific spiritual and natural law revealed in Proverbs 22-7 (NKJV): “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” This is not a suggestion or a temporary observation; it is a fundamental reality of how power operates in this world.
To reign in life, you must understand that God has not called you to be the servant. He has called you to step into the ruler anointing of the New Covenant and occupy the office of the head.
1. The Rich Dictate the Atmosphere
In any environment, the person with the most resources usually sets the tone and the direction of the conversation. When you have wealth, you have the power to create an atmosphere where the Gospel can flourish.
- The poor are often at the mercy of the atmosphere created by others.
- As a ruler, you carry the anointing to shift a city’s economy through your presence and your investments.
2. Wealth Provides a Legal Defense
Scripture is clear that money serves as a defense in the same way that wisdom does. Ecclesiastes 7-12 (NKJV) says: “For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense.”
- The rich have the resources to secure high-quality legal, medical, and physical protection.
- Ruling means you are no longer vulnerable to the whims of a broken system; you have the “defense” of Kingdom abundance.
3. The Rich Influence Policy and Systems
Throughout history, those who possess the wealth are the ones who influence the laws and the systems of a nation. God wants His sons in positions of financial power so they can influence policy to favor the Kingdom.
- If the righteous do not rule, the wicked will; and the poor will suffer under their policies.
- Your wealth is a tool to ensure that the standards of the New Covenant are represented in the high places of the earth.
4. The Borrower is Servant to the Lender
This is a legal reality. When you are in debt, you are covenantally and naturally a servant to the person or institution that holds your debt.
- God’s promise for you is to “lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow” according to Deuteronomy 15-6 (NKJV).
- To rule, you must break the servant-identity of the borrower and embrace the ruler-identity of the lender.
5. Wealth Grants Access to High Places
The “rich man’s wealth is his strong city,” while the “destruction of the poor is their poverty.” Wealth provides access to rooms and conversations that are closed to those without resources.
- You are called to stand before kings, not before mean men.
- Your ruler anointing provides the “gift” that makes room for you and brings you before the great.
6. The Rich Have the Power to Distribute
You cannot be a distribution center if you are an empty warehouse. The rich rule because they have the capacity to feed, clothe, and finance the needs of the many.
- Ruling in life means having such an abundance of grace that you can finance the harvest of souls.
- God wants you rich so that you can establish His covenant on the earth through your ability to distribute wealth.
7. Ruling Requires a Mindset of Dominion
The primary reason the rich rule is that they think like rulers. A poverty mindset is focused on survival, but a ruler mindset is focused on dominion and expansion.
- Romans 5-17 (NKJV) promises that those who receive the gift of righteousness will “reign in life.”
- You are not waiting for permission to rule; you have been commissioned by the King of Kings to take territory.
Conclusion
The law that the rich rule over the poor is not meant to intimidate you; it is meant to wake you up. If you are tired of being at the mercy of circumstances, it is time to step into your ruler anointing. You were not created to be the tail; you were born again to be the head. When you align your mind with the Finished Work of Christ and start acting like the son of a King, the resources of the world must begin to bow to your authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it arrogant to want to “rule” over others?
Kingdom ruling is about service and influence, not about being a tyrant. It is about having the resources and authority to set people free and establish God’s will on the earth.
Why does the Bible say the rich rule if God is in control?
God delegates authority to His children. He has given the earth to the sons of men; if the righteous refuse to rule their finances, they forfeit their influence to the world.
How do I start ruling if I am currently poor?
You start by changing your mind. You must refuse to identify as “poor” and start identifying as a “ruler in training.” Speak the Word, give what you have, and watch God increase your capacity.
Does God hate the poor?
Absolutely not; God loves the poor, which is why He gave us the Gospel of Grace to empower them to no longer be poor. Poverty is a curse that Jesus broke on the Cross.
This article is part of a series answering difficult questions about grace and the New Covenant.