Proverbs 14:20 NIV

 
Money lies! Money corrupts! This proverb represents Solomon’s sad observation of human selfishness: men are friendly for what they can get from others. Even a poor man’s neighbors hate him, because he is of no use to them in getting ahead. But a rich man, no matter what his character or conduct, has many more friends than the poor man.
 
Money lies! The fine things of the rich, their many friends in high places, their dignified manners, and their ability to help are all dangerous illusions. They tell you nothing of the heart and soul behind the prosperous eyes and beneath the luxurious clothes. Many rich men are arrogant and have nothing noble or virtuous about them (18:23; I Sam 25:10). As a woman’s beauty does not prove character, neither does a man’s wealth (11:22; 31:30).
 
Money corrupts! Men that ought to love their neighbors will hate them for the simple reason they are poor. Men that ought to hate proud oppressors will grovel before the rich, in hope they might eat crumbs that fall from his table. If the rich ask for a favor, they will leap at the opportunity and often shut their eyes to compromise or evil involved (17:23).
 
The measure of a person is his soul, character, and conduct, not his wealth. Nabal was very rich, but he was a fool (I Sam 25:2-11). Ruth was a destitute Moabite widow, but she was a jewel of a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11). Instead of valuing what a person earns or owns, wise men will inquire about their fear of God and observe their moral conduct.
 
What are the lessons? The proverb is not teaching what should be, but rather what is common. One lesson is that popularity proves nothing (19:4,6). Another is a warning against measuring by assets, rather than character (19:7). Another is to remember that true friends are not affected by a change in circumstances (17:17). And a further lesson is to guard against preferential treatment of the rich and respect of persons (Jas 2:1-10).
 
But there are other lessons. God chose His elect for salvation mainly from the poor of this world (I Cor 1:26-29; Jas 2:5). Therefore, though poverty may indicate a low standing in society, it says nothing of one’s standing with God. It was much better to be the beggar Lazarus being licked by dogs than to be the rich man living in luxury (Luke 16:19-31).
 
No matter how dear are the friends, or how many there are of them, that reject you; God will never desert you, no matter how poor (Ps 73:25-26; Heb 13:5-6). He set His love on you when you were his hateful enemy, and He will not remove His love for the minor turns of life’s events (Rom 5:6-11). He became poor to make you rich (II Cor 8:9).
Jonathan Crosby
 

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

Proverbs 14:20 KJV

 
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Proverbs 10:2 CEV

 
Getting rich from doing evil or wickedness will not profit or help you at all. Proverbs 10:2 directly warns us of putting our faith and concerns in treasures and wealth. Winning the lottery tomorrow will certainly profit your bank account but it will not profit your soul. Wealth may buy short term happiness and comfort but greed, a health crisis, or reality will make us realize we put our faith in something earthly and it will not last forever.
 
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19 NIV
 
Your soul on the other hand is an investment that has eternal returns and nobody can take anything away from that investment. Matthew asks the question we all know the answer to. Nothing on earth is worth more than our soul. Our soul and salvation delivers us from death.
 
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26 NIV
 
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28 NIV
 
We keep track of the balances of our financial accounts through bank statements, online, checkbooks, or even on our phone. If we are charged for something we didn’t spend, we immediately get it reversed. When was the last time you evaluated the condition of your soul? Which do you think or stress more about, your money or your soul? It might be easier said than done but every time stress and worry is spent on wealth, debt, and material things, your soul is weakened. Every time you focus on your soul and righteousness your wealth is strengthened.
Chris Riehl
 

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 10:2 KJV

 
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Proverbs 22:4 NKJV

 
Only the LORD can give so much wisdom with such great promises in fourteen words. Praise His glorious name! And thank Him for the opportunity of learning this secret of the living and true God. The world stumbles on in educated ignorance, wondering why they are so poor, despised, and dysfunctional! They will never know this wisdom. Glory!
 
Here are two conditions for three blessings. A wise man will grasp each of the five aspects of this simple and direct proverb. Neglecting an inspired jewel like this is self-deceit and self-hate, for the blessings are great and the conditions easy. Humble yourself before your Creator, and reject every idea you have contrary to the wisdom before you.
 
Humility is the first condition. It is thinking lowly of yourself. It admits you are a sinner, do not have all the answers, and without God’s help cannot do anything well or right. It is proven by taking correction, saying you are sorry, avoiding public praise, serving others quietly, being reserved publicly, never talking about yourself, and praising others.
 
The fear of the LORD is the other condition. This is reverently seeking to honor God in all you do. Such a man does everything possible to obey and please the LORD, and He avoids anything to dishonor Him as much as possible. You can recognize it by the desire a man has for preaching, the Bible, and righteousness, and how much he hates sin (8:13).
 
Riches are the first blessing. Sometimes these are… financial blessings, but they are often other things as well. There are many natural things greater than money in the bank to everyone but greedy misers (15:17; 16:8; 17:1). Spiritual blessings here and hereafter are also included. If you are disappointed or unmoved by heavenly riches, you have neither humility nor the fear of the Lord, and you do not understand real wealth (Luke 16:11).
 
Honor is the second blessing. A humble man who fears the LORD will grow in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). The blessed God honors those who honor Him (I Sam 2:30; Jas 4:10). A man who fears the LORD will be honored by others, for his conduct will be gracious and righteous (18:12; 22:11). Men will want to be his friend, and he will be lifted up from among other men by these two excellent and exceptional traits.
 
Life is the third blessing. The senses in which life is meant here include things that cannot be described (I Cor 2:9). But Scripture does mention an abundant life, a good life, a joyful life, a peaceful life, a productive life, an extended life, and eternal life. And both here and hereafter will be spent with God Himself as your friend (Gen 15:1; Ex 33:11).
Jonathan Crosby
 

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life

Proverbs 22:4 KJV

 
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Proverbs 29:7 MSG

Some of us now understand what it’s like to be poor thanks to the economic calapse. When times are good and we are in a strong economic cycle, most people focus on the people who are richer than they are. When the economy gets like it is now we focus on the people who have less then we do. When we feel rich we look at the richest but when we feel poor we look at the poorest.

We also focus more on our family and friends. Just think of this past Christmas. I can tell you we spent a quarter of what we did the Christmas before. Bad Christmas right? No, actually it was one of the best. Gifts were personallized like picture DVDs, specially made crafts, and other gifts that family and friends made just for us. I did get a new pair of ice skates but that was my only gift I recieved that I didn’t know who made it.

Almost everyone I know is living a different lifestyle today than they were a couple years back. Some of them are stressed all day long. I have been stressed all day long. If you are stressing about money just remeber you might be broke but your good-hearted. Sounds like a stretch at first but the good-hearted appreciate the important things in life.

Tape this verse in your checkbook, on your dashboard, in your purse or wallet, even by candle if the electricity isn’t paid. Be able to quote this verse anytime you hear the words money, bailout, jobless rate, mortgages, or WalMart.

Chris Riehl

The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it

Proverbs 29:5 KJV

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The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.

Proverbs 13:8 MSG

I always laugh when I read this verse because at first glance I always think, well I am surely safe from losing it all. The fact though that most of us think of things when we hear lose it all,  indicates we are ransom to our own riches. Even if we are not as rich as the people we think of as rich we still don’t want to lose everything we have. Disciples rich and poor gave up everything they owned to follow Jesus.

Losing it all is in the eye of the beholder. Can you really lose it all if you can’t lose your salvation? Salvation is the one thing, if received, that is given and can’t be taken away. We can receive salvation because Jesus gave everything he had.

Proverbs 13:8 (KJV) The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

John 10:29 And I give eternal life to them; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;