Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 14:31-33

Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he that honors Him has mercy on the poor. 

Of all the dangerous things that a person might do, it is hard to think of anything more dangerous or more foolish than standing up and taunting the Ruler and Judge of the universe in His face. What person in his right mind would say to God, “You have no power to cast me into hell! Just try it!” Who would accuse Him of injustice? Who would stick a fist in the air, and say, “I’m the standard of what’s right… I’ve got the power to whip you, God!” According to the text at hand, oppressing the poor is equivalent to hurling such gigantic curses at God. When someone takes undue advantage of a poor man, he waves a fist in God’s face, and that is not a smart thing to do.

The temptations to do this sort of thing come up everywhere. Salesmen rush to take advantage of unwary, uneducated folk who have failed to do adequate research on the product they are purchasing. Politicians enthusiastically offer a trade of liberty for a weak promise of security, and many of the poor and vulnerable will go for it. For a vote from these poor folks, corrupt power mongers will gladly redistribute more of the nation’s wealth, and in the process destroy the character and family integrity of millions of inner-city dwellers. Even “religious” Christian organizations are not immune to oppressing the poor. One “Christian” ministry for single mothers, with which this author has had some contact, would charge poor families about 20% above market rates for their housing needs. Sometimes these programs wear a gloss of respectability, but make no mistake about it, the Creator of the poor man is fully cognizant, taking special note of what happens to the poor in our communities. Should anyone dare to afflict them, He will take it as a personal affront.

God, in His sovereignty, has ordained our social arrangements, and He has determined that some in our midst will be poor. “The poor you will always have with you,” says our Lord (Matthew 26:11). Yet, the Lord is particularly interested in how our churches and communities treat the poor. Both Old and New Testaments contain principles relating to the treatment of the poor and needy. All these laws cumulatively reflect the heart of God concerning the poor, and they all pertain to us. We ought to be well familiar with them and find ways to incorporate them
into our modern socio-economic situation. These would include the Good Samaritan principle, the Edges of the Field principle, the Poor Tithe, the Widow on the List, and others (reference Luke 10:33ff, 1 Tim. 5:9ff, Deut. 26:12, Deut. 24:19, etc.).

Proverbs 14:32

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death. 

What benefit might we obtain from these repeated reminders found in the Book of Proverbs, (and in the Psalms), regarding the ill-fated destiny of the wicked? As God would have it, the wicked often prevail, especially in the sphere of modern politics. There is a particular draw to power centers with the ungodly, and they always tend toward consolidating power and building large tyrannical
empires. Typically, these tyrannies do little to advance the cause of righteousness and the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. But even worse than this, they will very often consume considerable resources in persecuting people who love God and stand for His righteous laws. Therefore, it will always be a constant comfort to poor, struggling souls to know these powerful, evil men will one day face utter defeat. It will be a complete rout. The great irony of it all is that the great power centers of wicked people are always eroded by the corruption of their own character. They are tangled up in their own wickedness, and this brings about their final demise.

On the other hand, the worst thing that can happen to the righteous is his own death. Then he goes to heaven to be with Christ, his Savior, forever. What is a horrifying prospect of death for the wicked turns out to be the hope and expectation of the righteous. What a difference the resurrection of Jesus Christ makes for those who have their faith in Him!

For related commentary, reference Proverbs 10:24, 25, 28, 30; 11:23; 12:7. 

Proverbs 14:33

Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 

Knowledge sets in the mind, but wisdom makes its abode in the heart. It lives with its friends—love, joy, and peace. The mind might remind us of the importance of fearing God, but unless the heart embraces the principle we will never walk in the fear of God. As the very center of our being, the heart generates motivations, attitudes, and perspectives that govern everything you think, say, and do in any
given day. So, the wise heart inclined towards God and loving God first and foremost becomes the primary motivating force producing wise action. Are we motivated by the fear of God? Are our lives governed by a passionate love for God? Does each of our hearts rest on Christ alone for our salvation? This is where true wisdom begins. Any other motivations will only produce hypocrisy and a thin-coated moralistic life.

Whether it be wisdom or foolishness there, that which is in the heart eventually makes itself evident to all present. The heart will always betray its true nature—always! Of course, men in their natural state will work hard to keep a thin façade of morality in place. This includes the polite atheist, the generous homosexual, the honest prostitute (who won’t defraud the tax man), or even the slothful evangelical who defrauds his employer, while witnessing to others about “Jesus.” While it may take a little time to penetrate through the façades, the true character of the heart will reveal itself. Count on it.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. How does our family have mercy upon the poor? How do we take the principles from God’s Word and reflect the heart of God in the area of charity?

2. What is your perspective concerning death? We are all going to die sometime. Is this something you look forward to with some anticipation, or are you dreading the day you will die?