Proverbs 19:1-7 – We need not be defined by poverty

Wealth is amoral. It is neither good nor bad but what we do with it determines whether wealth has been put to good use or not. Billy Graham once said, “There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men.”  Wealth and poverty are good test of a person’s character. A person’s character is often determined by how he handles wealth. Proverbs 19:1-2 tell us that the worst condition in life is not a man lacking wealth, but one who fails to walk in integrity. It is far better to be poor but live honestly than seeking to be rich through dishonest means. Only a fool believes that he can be rich using unscrupulous means. Careless usage of wealth can make one poor. Being ignorant could be a reason why a person is poor. He has no clear goal in life and hence heedlessly squanders it. On the other hand, a person could also be poor because he acts without thinking and thus squanders his wealth thoughtlessly. Both the ignorant and the thoughtless will make blunder concerning wealth and be made poor.

Poverty, verse 3 tells us, can also be the reason why some people are hostile toward God. They fail to follow divine principles in handling wealth. Foolishly, they make choices that ruin their lives and then put the blame squarely on God for their stupid choices.  

Poverty is one reason why some people lack friends. People can be attracted by a person’s wealth because they feel they can benefit from the wealthy. The poor on the other hand finds his friends separating from him. Poor people are deemed to have little to offer to anyone but burden. That’s the reason verse 7 tells us that even relatives of a poor would shun him. His plea for assistance would often go unheeded. They would instead stay away from him.

Poverty can drive one to tell lies. When a person is poor he may resort to lies and malice to seek friendship. Here the word warns against it. A tale-bearer will ultimately be punished. Poverty can also cause a person to accept bribe. Wanting to find favor with the rich and generous, a poor man can become susceptible to a bribe. While poverty is not pleasant, one need not remain poor. The Bible advocates honesty and diligence. When one puts his heart and hand to work hard, he cannot remain poor for long. This is the universal law. What a man sows, he shall also reap!