Proverbs 14:21, Blighting or Blessing
August 21, Proverbs 14:21
Ps. 113:7-8; Luke 6:20-26, 36-38 “Blessed is he that considereth the poor” (Ps. 41:1)
Blighting or Blessing
The Book of Proverbs looks at the subject of unkindness from many angles. In 11:12 it is to be void of heart (marg.). The “observation” of a sad fact in 14.20 has become, in 14:21, a “lesson” of a sin act. To despise one’s (poor) neighbours surely to sin. It rejects the will and loses the blessing of God. To have mercy on the poor brings happiness or blessedness, a foretaste of Heaven. Here let us observe.
1. Contempt born of Pride: The word poor is different from the one used in the previous verse. Here it suggests one who is oppressed and then despised. This despising may spring from human pride. Old Bishop Sanderson put it: “Because we think we over-top them, we think we may over-look them.” Charles Bridges suggests that the despised may be one for whom Christ shed His precious blood. If that is the case, then how great is the distance between this poor one in the world’s eyes, and the most exalted person who is without God in this life and without hope in the world to come. That old demon pride “flies above the reach of love.” It seeks to be feared, but returns no affection. Pride and love are in perpetual conflict. Matthew Henry put it:
“He that despises his neighbour because he is low in the world, because he is a man of mean education,… and that thinks it below him to take notice of him, converse with him, or concern himself about him, and sets him with the dogs of his flock, is guilty of a sin, is in the way to worse, and shall be dealt with as a sinner; unhappy is he.”
2. Compassion born of God: To show mercy hoping for nothing again is of the quality of the compassion of God. Mercy is from the precious gospel word meaning favour or grace directed to the poor and lowly. It is a beautiful reminder of God’s dealings with us as poor, needy sinners. Truly, compassion is of God! The Lord Jesus knows our frame; He feels our pain, and as our Mediator, He shares our cares! If He furrows the heart, He also sows it with grace. He gives much grace, that He may give much more grace, and if you have grace, yet you have none to boast of! Should we not then show our gratitude in our treatment of our neighbour and of the poor? Not only does this have the commendation of God, but it follows His Example as well. Thus to direct mercy to the poor wins the approval of our own conscience, and receives a double blessing from God in return. There is blessing for the giver and also blessing for the receiver. On that Great Day the merciful will learn that they did it unto and for the Blessed Lord Himself (Mt. 25:35-40). The Psalmist declares, Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor (68:10). The New Testament also confirms that Christ’s riches are prepared for His poor ones (Rom. 9:23; Phil. 4:19).
Thought: “Saints become the beneficiaries of their own benefactions!” (Thomas)
Prayer: O Lord, may my actions always prove my devotion and compassion.