Christianity
Proverbs 19Lending to the LORD
Summary
Proverbs 19 opens by preferring a poor person of integrity to a rich fool. Wealth attracts many friends while the poor are deserted, false witnesses will be punished, and a man's discretion makes him slow to anger, so overlooking an offense is his glory. A quarrelsome wife is like constant dripping, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. Its central promise is that kindness to the poor is a loan to God that he will repay. Human plans are many, but the LORD's purpose stands.
Key verse
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Proverbs 19:17
Themes
- Care for the Poor
- Integrity
- Patience
- God's Purpose
Text
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Islam
Surah Al-Baqarah (2): A Goodly LoanQuran 2:245 asks, Who is it that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He may give it increase manifold? Like Proverbs 19:17, it pictures giving to those in need as a loan to God that he repays.
Christianity
Matthew 25: The Least of TheseIn Matthew 25:31 to 46 Jesus says that whatever is done for the hungry, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner is done for him, a close parallel to the idea that kindness to the poor reaches God.
Questions about Proverbs 19
What does Proverbs 19:17 mean?
It says that whoever has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and God will repay what was given. Charity is presented as a transaction with God himself.
What does Proverbs 19:21 say about plans?
There are many devices in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD shall stand. It encourages planning held with humility before God's purposes.