BETTER A POOR MAN

Passage: Proverbs 28:1-12

Key verse: 6

NIV

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(D)

7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(F) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(G) who will be kind to the poor.(H)

9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.(I)

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,(J)
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;(K)
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(L)

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

28 (A)The wicked flee when no one pursues,
    but (B)the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, (C)it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
3 (D)A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law (E)praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law (F)strive against them.
5 Evil men (G)do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord (H)understand it completely.
6 (I)Better is a poor man who (J)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is (K)crooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but (L)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth (M)by interest and profit[a]
    (N)gathers it for him who is (O)generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
    even his (P)prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
    (Q)will fall into his own pit,
    but the blameless (R)will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his (S)own eyes,
    but a poor man who has understanding (T)will find him out.
12 When (U)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when (V)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

This passage reveals what is inside people’s hearts and how it controls their actions. The wicked are easily afraid and run away at hardship and trouble. However, in the face of opposition, the righteous are very bold, like lions, and no one dares to approach them. When the people are lawless, many leaders try to grab power. Yet when there is a person who has understanding and knowledge, they provide stability to the community.

How we view people based on social status is important before God and a true indication of our character. A poor person with integrity is much better than a rich and evil person. Those who oppress the poor will face God’s judgment. But those who pay attention to the poor and are generous to them are blessed by God. It is easy to turn our eyes away from poor people. Are you running away from helping the poor, and do you see the poor right in front of you and do nothing?

Those who turn away from hearing the law to give to the poor will not be heard by God, no matter how hard they pray. But the righteous who love God, love others, and give freely will receive a godly inheritance.

Prayer: Father, please forgive me for neglecting the poor. Help me to be generous. Help me to trust in your reward instead of piling up riches for myself.

One Word: Better a poor man with integrity