Do You Think This is an Odd Pair?

Quick! Fill in the blank…

The rich and _______________.

You might have though of a synonym like wealth: The rich and wealthy. You might have thought of something that compares with, or goes along with rich, like power: The rich and powerful. Or, you might have considered a contrasting idea, like poor: The rich and poor.

My simple point is that there are familiar ways that things are paired together. With that thought in mind, take a look at this proverb:

     Better is a poor man who walks in integrity

     Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. 

     —Proverbs 19:1

What did you expect to be paired with ‘poor man’?

It might not be obvious at first, but the ’poor man’ is compared to 'the fool,' i.e. the 'foolish man.' The poor man’s way of life is described by the phrase, 'who walks in integrity.' The fool’s way of life is described by the phrase, 'who is perverse in speech.' Now that we have the parts of proverb matched up, how do we make sense of this saying?

The word 'poor' in this proverb comes from one of eleven different Hebrew words to describe the poor. It is used almost exclusively by Solomon and indicates destitution. How does it strike your mind that a destitute person would walk in integrity? In many ways poverty and integrity are odd partners. A man who is destitute lacks the basic needs of life. He probably does not have a place to live (homeless). He has nothing that resembles a wardrobe of clothing, but has only the clothing on his back. He does not have enough food. It is an understatement to say that he is in need.

Now, imagine a destitute man with integrity. That means that even though he has virtually nothing, he is a man of good character. He is an honest man, reliable and fair in his dealings with others. He is morally good. Judging him by his worldly possessions, he is empty and practically worthless; yet judging him by his character, he is complete.

Compared to the poor man of integrity is the fool who is perverse in speech. Used primarily in the Book of Proverbs the Hebrew word for perverse means to twist or to make crooked. It is used to describe sin. So, perverse speech suggests the sin of deception.

Perverse speech describes the way of the fool. It is curious that the Hebrew term used in this verse for fool literally means to be fat. It has a positive sense of strength, though it is usually used in a negative sense of heaviness and inactivity, therefore often translated with terms such as stupid and fool/foolish. However, the idea of strength appears to fit this context when compared to a parallel proverb (Proverbs 28:6).

     Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

     Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

     --Proverbs 28:6

In both proverbs crookedness or perversity of speech might even be the means by which the individual became strong/rich.

The lesson is simple, but so difficult for people to embrace:

We would all agree that it is better to be strong/rich than to be destitute. However, if strength and riches are accompanied by sin, they are of no real value. The man of integrity is better off even if he is destitute of the world’s goods.

So, “Do I have to give up my possessions to be a man or woman of integrity?” Wrong question!

Rather, we should ask ourselves: “Am I a man/woman of integrity?”

Do you value integrity???

Insight into Insight...

     The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,
     The wicked does not understand such concern.
     --Proverbs 29:7

The one who is righteous is engaged in behavior that is descriptive of the nature of God. So, he adopts the character of God as his own character.

Let me illustrate:

When I was in my teens and twenties I worked for my dad a few summers building houses. Dad would give me instructions on how to accomplish tasks, but also how to care for my tools. He also told me his expectations with regard to his crew of carpenters. I did what 'the boss' said.

I began to see the wisdom of dad's instruction through practice. Over time the things he taught became habits. I began to think like he thought about my tools, about the guys that worked for him, and about the expected quality of work. The values dad taught are now a part of me, "The job is not finished until the tools are put away..." just like dad said.

Not only did I learn valuable lessons, I learned something about my dad. I gained insight into his character by doing the things he taught!

The revealed word of God, Scripture, reflects God’s character. God has not given mankind instruction that in any way opposes his divine character. So, when a person follows God in righteousness, he speaks like God speaks, acts like God acts, and even learns to think like God thinks. Through the practice of righteousness he gains insight into the character of God.

Reflecting on the proverb above...
God is deeply concerned for the poor. The righteous person is concerned for the rights of the poor, not because he is a natural humanitarian, but because of his insight into God’s character through righteousness.

The wicked person is baffled; no insight; no concern for the poor.

Pursue righteousness; gain insight into God's character.

Something You Should Know about Generosity

How do you weigh the truth of the proverbs?

In my experience the vast majority of discussions, Bible classes, and sermons on the Proverbs have been more evaluative. What I mean is that the tendency is to read a proverbs and then try to validate it by personal experience and subjective reasoning. For example:

A Bible class teacher reads a proverb:
   A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
   But the slow to anger pacifies contention. (15:18)

He then comments by relating a story about a hot-tempered acquaintance that started a fight. Following that example he relates another story about another acquaintance who showed patience and restraint in a difficult situation; tempers were calmed.

There is nothing wrong with using illustrations, but I have a question: “What is the purpose of the illustration: to clarify or validate?”

What if we read a proverb and cannot think of a real-life parallel, is it still true?

Solomon did not introduce the Proverbs as some sort of game. He did not say, “Let me propose some thoughts. If you can validate them with your own personal experience or the experiences of others, then the sayings must be true. If not, then discard the saying.”

Solomon begged his son to listen because the proverbs contain the wisdom of God. They are true regardless of my experience or yours. They do not need validation. In fact, anyone who relies on modern-day validation is the fool. The purpose of the Proverbs is to offer wisdom through verbal instruction so that WE do not have to learn ‘the hard way': Experience.

So, what do you want to do with the Proverbs?
  Test each of them?
  Refrain acceptance until you can validate?
  Trust, listen, apply?

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Now, here’s the proverb for this post:

   He who gives to the poor will never want,
   But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
   --Proverbs 28:27

Would we be so foolish to think that ‘curses’ only applied during Bible times? Would we dare think that God would not curse a person today?

We pray for and expect God's blessings...his 'good words' for our benefit. Do we really think that we are somehow immune to God's words of discipline or anger if we oppose the things He values?

If you are a skeptic, perhaps you should 'open your eyes' and err on the side of generosity.

Be wise.

A Good Eye

   He who is generous will be blessed, 
   For he gives some of his food to the poor.
   --Proverbs 22:9

The first phrase in the original text literally reads: “He who has a good eye will be blessed.” The 'good eye' is not about visual acuity or a healthy eye, but rather the idea of goodness or kindness. Of course, eyes are commonly used to emphasize awareness, and that seems to be the case in this proverb. So, you might say that the 'good eye' is also a sharp eye that is aware of things going on around it.

   "He who has a good, sharp eye will be blessed..."

The person with a ‘good eye’ is one who is aware of those around him and their needs. Along with his keen awareness is a heart of compassion. He looks with a ‘good eye’ of tenderness toward the needy and is moved in his heart.

However, he does not merely see with a keen eye; he is not merely moved by a heart of compassion; he acts. He gives. He shares some of his food with the poor.

This one will be blessed.

The meaning of the word bless is rooted in prayer and praise toward God. It actually means ‘to kneel.’ That is a fitting picture when we think of man ‘blessing’ God. However, it does not fit at all when we think of God blessing man.

When God blesses man, the idea is not that God kneels. Rather, the word takes it meaning from the idea of speaking good things to or about another. So, when man speaks good things to God and about God, he praises. yet, when God speaks good things toward man...

Think for a moment about the nature of God’s speech. In the Genesis account of creation God spoke, “Let there be light.”

What happened when God spoke?
"There was light.”

Does that produce a sense of awe and amazement as you reflect on that event? Do we truly recognize the power and authority and wonder of God's spoken word? If God speaks a blessing to man, it will come about.

   He who has a good eye will be blessed,
   For he gives some of his food to the poor.

Do you have a good eye?
If so, God will speak a blessing for you.