Proverbs 22

As I read through Proverbs 22, one main theme resonated with me, that is, woe to rich, woe to those who pride themselves on their pocketbook and their status.  Blessed is the humble and generous man, blessed are the poor.  These are the verses that lead me to this theme of woe to money.

v1 - “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

v2 - “Rich and poor have this in common; The LORD is the Maker of them all.”

v9 - “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.”

v16 - “He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty.”

v11 - “He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.”

v4 - “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.”

That may have felt like a Scriptural data dump, so let me comment on what those verses meant to me.    The chapter begins by highlighting that it is more important to have a good name than to have big bank account.  This theme has come up a few times through the Proverbs, and how true it is.  It is more important to be able to sleep easy at night, rather than to bask in the achievement rooted in a lie/false result.   Because, at the end of the day, whether you are rich or poor, we have the same Maker, we are all made in His image, we are all judged on the same basis, and a bigger paycheck only invites more temptation and hardship – because it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.  Moreover, don’t pride yourself and feel righteous because of all your material possessions.  “Success” in this world does not justify us in God’s eyes.  That said, if you are given riches, know that it is the generous man who is blessed – so give, because you may even find that the gratitude of the recipient is more precious than a new Aston Martin.  Again, it’s important to give, but be wise about who you give to.  Don’t give to the oil barons.  Give to those who need it, and who use it wisely, because if your made rich, and give to other rich people – you will come to poverty.  Additionally, I think this passage says that it is okay to be esteemed, and even gives guidance on how to be esteemed – have a pure heart, and gracious speech, and you will have the King as a friend.  I read that verse to say - have good intentions, and speak to everyone as though they are your equals – and you will have the King as your friend.  Lastly, I think verse 4 is the home-run, and if there is one message to soak up, it’s this one - True honor in life stems from humbling yourself to the Lord, and fearing the Lord. 

This was a really great passage for me to read.  Especially as I am preparing my billion dollar bracket for Mr. Buffett.