Imam Khomeini sheds the light on the issue in his famous book "an exposition on Forty Hadith as following:
This cannot be counted as modesty; it is flattery, and is reckoned as a moral vice.
The possessor of this trait does not show humbleness to the poor, except when his self-interest requires it or when he uses it as a bait.
But it is also true that the virtue of humility of men invites man to act with modesty and humility towards the others, irrespective of whether they are rich or poor, whether of enviable conditions or not.
That is, their modesty is sincere and pure. Their souls are clean and unstained by the love for popularity in society and honor, which have no charm for them.
This kind of humility and modesty is good with the poor, and it is good with the rich as well.
Everyone should be treated with the respect that is due to him.
But this pride and contempt of yours towards the rich and wealthy is not on account of the fact that you are not a sycophant, but it is because you are a jealous person, and you do not understand this, Imam further explains.
If the same rich man were unexpectedly to show you respect, you will be humble and modest with him. In any case, the snares and the skilful guiles of the self are so subtle that one cannot do anything except taking refuge in God.
And Praise is God’s, in the beginning and the end.
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