Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19

1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. 2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. 3 When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. 4 Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. 6 Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7 All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them. 8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. 10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12 A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. 14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. 15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. 16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. 17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. 18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. 19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. 22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. 27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

Devotional

Introduction

I wonder if you have been to a third world country before? Poverty is a non-negotiable. Last year I went to the Philippines on a Mission Trip. We were going to live amongst the poorest people in the world for two weeks. It was not easy, it was physically and emotionally draining.

When we reach out to someone in deep economical crisis, there is a chance you will be left drained. Money drives our current world, it is idol that seems to keep the whole world moving smoothly (although we know that is God). So if you help out someone who is poor, or if you are poor yourself, chance is life will not seem to be going so smoothly. In fact, other than life being hard, Proverbs says you will probably be friendless. The people with the most friends are the people who can afford it.

But Proverbs also clarifies that money is of the world, something useful, but it is not from God necessarily. What I mean by that is that it is not like it is wrong or right in God's eyes to have it or not have it. Bur Proverbs clarifies that sometimes it is not helpful. As well as that, there is a trend: the poorer people tend to be more godly.

Proverbs 19 has quite a lot to say about wealth and money, so let's look into it!

Study

1) The poor are often friendless (vs.4;6-7)

"Wealth brings many new friends,  but a poor man is deserted by his friend." (vs.4)

"Many seek the favor of a generous man,  and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts." (vs.6)

"All a poor man's brothers hate him;  how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them." (vs.7)

This is not always true. But, more often than not, the poorer people in society cannot contribute much. There are many aids to help poorer people, but how do we actually reach out to them personally. Perhaps you struggle with money yourself, and often feel quite lonely. This is not right, but it does happen.

The wealthy people in our society are the people who can branch into philanthropy or who can support politicians. They can live in large houses and afford to have guests over all the time.

But as I said, it is not always true. As I said, I went to the Philippines, and sometimes the poorest people are the most hospitable, the most active in society. But compared to my situation, they cannot give much economically. And that can often lead them friendless.

Needless to say, it is so important that we are willing to reach out to the poor in our own cultures. You may not realise it, but you probably attract to the groups with people who can afford the best clothes, or contribute the most at church. Perhaps you are the wealthy person.

But the Bible tells us to care for the poor. Proverbs 14 says:

"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." (Proverbs 14:31)

Generosity can come in the form of wealth, but it can easily come in being a friend. We are called to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Whatever your circumstances, you should be looking for ways to sacrifice, to be generous. It doesn't always mean money. However, check how much money is holding you back from loving your brother.

2) Money is not always a thing from God (vs.10,14)

"It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes." (vs.10)

"House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord". (vs.14)

Now, money is a gift from God, just as anything in creation is. But that's just it. It is a created thing. As with most created things, it can become an idol for our evil human hearts. So money is probably always useful, but not always helpful.

Verse 14 argues this as well. We inherit it from our fathers. But what is better comes from the Lord: prudence. Someone who shows care for their money. They do not idolise it or use it for consumerist tendencies. They consider the future. Money is useful, but for the idolater, it is not helpful.

In verse 10, this is clarified. It is basically saying that a fool should not live in wealth, because they will do bad things with their wealth. He is a fool to begin with, so there is an added negative of being wealthy as well because he is prone to sin. It is not helpful for the fool to be wealthy.

God can indeed bless us with wealth, but sometimes, our temptation to use it wrongly or to idolise it can distract us from God. The sins associated with money are not from God. In some ways, the poor are better off because they don't have to be distracted by this factor. They can be more godly instead.

3) The poor person is often more godly (vs.1,17,22)

"Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool." (vs.1)

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (vs.17)

"What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar." (vs.22)

A poor man is on the path to being more godly, because he already has one of the many obstacles out of the way. Money can be a definite hindrance to us growing in God. The poor person is better than a fool, because he walks in integrity (vs.1). The poor man is better than a liar (I guess we are assuming the poor man does not lie) (vs.22).

Because the hindrance of money is removed, other godly traits can spring out of us. So many crippling temptations can keep us from following God and growing in godliness, would you be willing to give them up?

You probably know the story of Jesus and the rich man:

"And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him,“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments:‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go,sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”" (Mark 10:17-25)

You know, the rich man was unwilling to give up what he had to follow God. His possessions, his earthly wealth were so important to him that he could not follow God. And from what Jesus says between verse 23 and 25, we can assume that that man was not going to enter the Kingdom of God.

How sad is it that we cannot see beyond our earthly wealth? We could grow into so much godliness if we just stopped idolising our wealth. You don't have to throw away all your possessions and become a monk, because money is useful for your life right now. But if money or wealth, or possessions or stuff was really keeping you from growing in godliness, could you put it away and focus on growth?

If you are a child of God, the spirit of God will transform you no matter what. But will you keep resisting his transformation because you are clinging onto that which will not last?

You're better off poor.

Conclusion

Actually, I want to conclude with those words. You're better off poor. You know you will never hear that from anyone who is not a Christian. But visiting the Philippines made me realise something: money really does not matter. You know how many Christian I met who were suffering in terrible poverty and yet were in immense joy? That was because they knew their hope.

Beyond this world, we have a world. Where earth does not matter. Where money does not matter. Where God is the only thing that matter, and we are going to be singing his praises everyday.

The poor may be friendless, but they have more opportunity to grow in godliness. Money may useful, but it is not always helpful. You may be in the worst economic situation in your life, but I promise you, that will not impact on your life to come.

Put away the things of this earth. Trust in God. Grow in him. Amen.