Proverbs 13:8, Poor Men Fear No Thieves!

July 2, Proverbs 13:8

Matt. 16:13-28 “The son of man came to give his life a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28).

Poor Men Fear No Thieves!

One meaning of this verse is: “A rich man, when he fears any evil, can remove it with money; the poor, when he is threatened, cannot pay, so he runs away.” The poor man cannot stand and defend himself or buy himself off. The moment he hears rebuke, having no resources, he attempts to make good his escape. A second interpretation is that it shows the relative benefits of riches and poverty.

1. Riches’ Relative Benefits in man’s view: Wealth has its advantages in enabling its possessor to buy deliverance from danger or death, by paying a ransom, a fine or even a bribe. The poor, on the other hand, are actually better off! Poverty confers a kind of immunity from the perils of the rich. The poor man is beneath notice! The rich is relatively secure in his riches, while the poor hears or heeds no rebuke, or threat (13:1). He is safe in his poverty. Yet how little value, after all, is wealth “when it only serves to redeem that life which otherwise would not have been exposed” (Henry). It is the rich who are kidnapped for ransom! The Chaldees took the rich Jews to Babylon, while the poor of the land were left behind (2 Kgs. 25:12). If the rich man’s wealth is his strong city (10:15), then the poor man’s poverty is his best safeguard, even if it is in a negative sense. He is not bothered with the evil-eye of covetousness, for no one envies the man who has nothing! The Apostle sums it up: Be content with such things as ye have (Heb. 13:5).

2. Riches’ Real Deficits in God’s view: Elihu warns Job: Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. Will he esteem thy riches? No, not gold, nor all the forces of strength (36:18,19). Yet a ransom has been found by God for men! Turn to Psalm 49:6-9, and see the ransom: a. Implied (6): The soul needs redeeming. What shall a man gave in exchange for his soul (Matt. 16:26)? No ransom can be found among men, for all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). All the pagan religions of the world are proof of that. b. Denied (7): Not wealth, power, learning can ransom the soul. Peter asserts, Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vein conversation (way of life) received by tradition from your fathers (1 Pet. 1:18). c. Supplied: There is a ransom from the riches of heaven, because the redemption of their soul is precious (8). Remember how Abraham assured Isaac, God will provide Himself a Lamb (Gen. 22:8). But, continues Peter, with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Pet. 1:19). d. Applied: That he should live forever, and not see corruption (9). It must be applied by the Holy Spirit for our deliverance now, once for all (Heb. 10:10; Rom. 8:1, 16). No ransom can avail after death! Have you applied in faith to God’s Ransom and found the true riches, whatever your riches may be now?

Thought: “Nothing is simpler than faith, and nothing more sublime.”

Prayer: Lord, I long for the gain that comes with godliness.