Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 10:15 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty. "
Proverbs 10:15
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
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This verse can be understood in two ways.
One way is as a reason to be diligent in our work. Hard work helps us avoid the sinking sadness that often comes with poverty. It also gives us the comfort that comes from being prepared and having enough ahead of time. Taking pains and applying ourselves is often the way to bring peace to ourselves and our families.
But the verse may be pointing to something broader, the common mistakes both rich and poor make about their outward condition. Rich people often think they are happy simply because they are rich, but that is a false hope. Their wealth seems, in their own mind, like a strong city, but it cannot defend them from the worst troubles. In fact, wealth may even put them in more danger.
Poor people often think they are ruined because they are poor, but that is also a mistake. Poverty can drag down the spirit and spoil many comforts. Still, a person can live very peacefully on little if he is content, keeps a clear conscience, and lives by faith.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 10:1
"The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother."
Proverbs 10:2
"Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death."
Proverbs 10:3
"The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked."
Proverbs 10:4
"He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth."
Proverbs 10:5
"He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame."
Proverbs 10:6
"Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked."
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