Proverbs 14:17-35: a reflection

17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated. 18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends. 21He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed. 22Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good. 23In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. 24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. 25A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful. 26In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death. 28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince. 29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. 30The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. 31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him. 32The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge. 33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools. 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

Among these proverbs is one that ties the way we treat the poor directly to our regard for God: Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him. How we treat the poor and needy is not, the proverb says, a matter separate from our relationship with God; it reflects our regard for God himself, who made them. To oppress the poor is to insult their Maker; to be kind to them is to honor him.

Notice the striking connection the proverb draws. The poor and needy are made by God, in his image; and so how we treat them is bound up with how we regard God. To oppress or despise the poor is to show contempt for the God who made them; to be kind to them is to honor him. Our treatment of the poor is not a small, separate matter; it is a reflection of our regard for their Maker.

That gives real weight to how we treat the poor and needy. We can think of kindness to the poor as optional, or of how we treat them as separate from our relationship with God. But the proverb ties them together: to oppress the poor is to show contempt for God, and to be kind to them is to honor him. Consider, then, how you treat the poor and needy, for it reflects your regard for God, who made them. Do not despise or oppress the poor, for in doing so you show contempt for their Maker; be kind to the needy, and in doing so you honor God. Let your treatment of the poor be shaped by the knowledge that they are made by God, and that in your kindness or contempt toward them, you honor or dishonor him.

Lord, your word says that whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but the one who is kind to the needy honors him; how I treat the poor and needy reflects my regard for you, who made them. Give real weight in my heart to that connection. The poor and needy are made by you, in your image; and so how I treat them is bound up with how I regard you. To oppress or despise the poor is to show contempt for you, who made them; to be kind to them is to honor you. I can think of kindness to the poor as optional, or of how I treat them as separate from my relationship with you. But your word ties them together. Help me consider how I treat the poor and needy, for it reflects my regard for you. Keep me from despising or oppressing the poor, for in doing so I show contempt for their Maker; help me be kind to the needy, and in doing so honor you. Let my treatment of the poor be shaped by the knowledge that they are made by you, and that in my kindness or contempt toward them, I honor or dishonor you.