# 478 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 28 (1). Is your prosperity leading to pride or humility?

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) is quoted as saying, “To see a man humble under prosperity is the greatest rarity in the world.”

Proverbs seems to suggest the same thing as we see in this chapter:

¹¹ The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

The use of the word “wise” is interesting here. This is a key word in Proverbs, but it generally refers to a wisdom that is a gift from God, and it is for all of us, whether rich or poor or somewhere in between. Remember the words of James who wrote: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

And note how he then describes this wisdom:

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.   (James 3:13-17)

So, to be wise in [your] own eyes falls way short of this true wisdom as described in the Bible.

Timothy Keller comments:

“We naturally take credit for wealth. Instead of acknowledging the enormous number of factors outside your control that brought the money to you, even with all your work, you attribute it all to your cleverness and discipline. Thus, you become wise in your own eyes, the essence of foolishness (28:11) … The ultimate danger of wealth leads us to say, ‘Who is the Lord’ (30:9) – ‘Why do I need God?’”  (# 51)

The theme continues in this chapter as follows:

⁶ Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.

Being wealthy is not a sin. Rather, it is our attitude to this wealth and how it impacts our relationships with God and those around us, particularly those who are poor, that matters. “Money is not as important as relationships (17:1). It is only love and right relationships – with God and with others – that can give us a meaningful life, yet wealth … can put a strain on relationships, disrupt them, and leave us lonely. Money is not as important as integrity of character (28:6 [above]) … Wealth is an extremely useful thing, but it can give nothing of lasting value or happiness.” (# 51)

Proverbs 30:8-9 summarizes the situation well:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.
⁹ Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.

The New Testament then describes the ultimate example of true riches as found in the life of Jesus:

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)