Proverbs 22:2

2. Rich and poor meet together Perhaps, in the sense of adaptation to each other. By the ordinance of God, they each have their place, sphere, duties, and use in the world. The rich have obligations and duties with respect to the poor, and the poor in respect to the rich. Moreover, they are mutually dependent upon each other. The rich need the poor and the poor need the rich. They are complements of each other. Capital needs labour, and labour needs capital.

The Lord is the maker of them all Both are equally his workmanship. Their several conditions, so far as they are providential, are his ordinance, and are equally important in his sight. The rich, therefore are not to despise the poor, nor the poor to envy the rich. They are both on probation for the formation of virtuous character. One finds his discipline in riches; the other in the want of them. He who attains to the highest virtue will in the end be the richest. Compare Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 29:13; Job 31:13; Job 31:15.