Proverbs 18:23 - Meaning and Application

Poverty, though it brings many troubles to the body, often does good to the spirit. It makes people humble, willing to submit, and less proud. It teaches them to ask for help in a humble way. When need forces people to beg, they learn that they cannot make demands, but must accept what is given and be grateful.

The same lesson fits our approach to God’s grace. In God’s presence, we are all poor. We must come with humble requests, not as people who can make claims. We come as one who asks for mercy, like a pauper asking for charity.

A prosperous life has its benefits, but it often brings a serious danger. It can make people proud, harsh, and overbearing. The rich man may answer a poor person’s plea roughly, like Nabal, who insulted David’s messengers with rude words (1 Samuel 25:10-11).

It is foolish when rich people, especially those who once had little, think their wealth gives them the right to speak harshly. Even when they do not mean to act cruelly, they may still think rough speech suits their rank. But gentlemen, and all who are truly well-mannered, ought to be gentle and considerate (James 3:17).