Rav Yitzchak Grossman
Answer: The halacha is that there is a mitzvah to lend to a rich person as well.
Although the pasuk specifically speaks about lending to a poor person, and the Rambam only says that it is a mitzvah to lend to a poor person, the Poskim conclude that lending to a rich person is also a mitzvah.
Question: If one is approached by both a rich person and a poor person, and they both ask for a loan, should one give precedence to the poor person?
Answer: The Gemara says that since the Torah does specifically mention an ani, a poor person should be given precedence to a rich person.
Question: Does the way the borrower plans to spend this money impact the lender's requirement to prioritize a poor man over a wealthy one?
Answer: The Peleh Yoetz says that a poor person only takes precedence if he needs the money for pressing expenses. If he wants to borrow money for luxuries, and a rich man requires a loan to pay a debt that he currently owes, the rich man would take precedence, as he is considered the "poor one" in this instance.
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