7 A man may be acting as if he had wealth, but have nothing; another may seem poor, but have great wealth.
The Pharisee, taking up his position, said to himself these words: God, I give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right, who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer. Twice in the week I go without food; I give a tenth of all I have. The tax-farmer, on the other hand, keeping far away, and not lifting up even his eyes to heaven, made signs of grief and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I say to you, This man went back to his house with God's approval, and not the other: for everyone who makes himself high will be made low and whoever makes himself low will be made high.
We are made to seem foolish for Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are feeble, but you are strong; you have glory, but we have shame. Even to this hour we are without food, drink, and clothing, we are given blows and have no certain resting-place;
For you say, I have wealth, and have got together goods and land, and have need of nothing; and you are not conscious of your sad and unhappy condition, that you are poor and blind and without clothing.
A man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need.
Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased.
Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again. Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.
Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth stored up in heaven which will be yours for ever, where thieves will not come nor worms put it to destruction.
For even now you are full, even now you have wealth, you have been made kings without us: truly, I would be glad if you were kings, so that we might be kings with you.
Give ear, my dear brothers; are not those who are poor in the things of this world marked out by God to have faith as their wealth, and for their heritage the kingdom which he has said he will give to those who have love for him?
Saying that they will be free, while they themselves are the servants of destruction; because whatever gets the better of a man makes a servant of him.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 13
Commentary on Proverbs 13 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 13
Pro 13:1
Among the children of the same parents it is no new thing for some to be hopeful and others the contrary; now here we are taught to distinguish.
Pro 13:2
Note,
Pro 13:3
Note,
Pro 13:4
Here is,
Pro 13:5
Note,
Pro 13:6
See here,
Pro 13:7
This observation is applicable,
Pro 13:8
We are apt to judge of men's blessedness, at least in this world, by their wealth, and that they are more or less happy accordingly as they have more or less of this world's goods; but Solomon here shows what a gross mistake it is, that we may be reconciled to a poor condition, and may neither covet riches ourselves nor envy those that have abundance.
Pro 13:9
Here is,
Pro 13:10
Note,
Pro 13:11
This shows that riches wear as they are won and woven.
Pro 13:12
Note,
Pro 13:13
Here is,
Pro 13:14
By the law of the wise and righteous, here, we may understand either the principles and rules by which they govern themselves or (which comes all to one) the instructions which they give to others, which ought to be as a law to all about them; and if they be so,
Pro 13:15
If we compare not only the end, but the way, we shall find that religion has the advantage; for,
Pro 13:16
Note,
Pro 13:17
Here we have,
Pro 13:18
Note,
Pro 13:19
This shows the folly of those that refuse instruction, for they might be happy and will not.
Pro 13:20
Note,
Pro 13:21
Here see,
Pro 13:22
See here,
Pro 13:23
See here,
Pro 13:24
Note,
Pro 13:25
Note,