Proverbs 19 : 22 Best Wishes

Pro 19:22  The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

I have to admit, this verse was a little bit hard for me. I wasn't sure what to make of it - but good ole Matthew Henry bailed me out!
Let me encourage each of you to find a study Bible or commentary that works for you . . . they can be invaluable when you are confused by a verse, or if you just want to know a little more about a concept that you find in the Word.
Let me ask all of us a question, here. And, no, I am not starting down a rabbit trail, just encouraging some thought and discussion.

Why do you want money?

I can hear the tires screeching as you back up and read that again. Well, for crying out loud, you say, I want to be able to buy my family groceries, and pay the heating bill, and purchase the medicines, and, and --- yes, I understand that. Do you want more? Do we all strive to have more? Why?
I don't think that many of us that follow this study blog would be trying to amass a small fortune so that they could buy a yacht, or an island in the South Pacific, or even to take over a small corporation.  Probably we fall into the category that Matthew Henry was talking about, when he said this about this verse:

       The honour of doing good is what we may laudably be ambitious of. It cannot but be the desire of man, if he have any spark of virtue in him, to be kind; one would not covet an estate for any thing so much as thereby to be put into a capacity of relieving the poor and obliging our friends.

I know I'm there. I'd love to be able to gift to those that I know are needing help; to assist in ministries that are God-based and persecuted by Satan; to cheerfully donate to causes that move my heart. I can do so in a small way, but how joyful it would be, if I could give more!
Here is the kernel of truth in this verse . . . it's far better to be a poor person, and offer your best wishes and prayers for blessings to someone, than to be a rich person and make lots of noise and hoopla about how you are going to give, give, give --- and then not come through.
It's much better for a person to desire to be kind and generous (because both God and man will understand that those desires are all she can offer) than to be a rich person, and make people believe that you will do mighty and charitable things --- and then be seen for a liar when nothing happens.
Good will, prayers, best wishes . . . those are special gifts. Gifts of honesty and integrity. And the blessings that come as a result are worth far more than money.
If you have time, let me know what you think!

Proverbs 14: 31

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

A couple of weeks ago, we got into a nice discussion about having a hard time loving others. Sometimes it is hard to love the poor when we see them squander money on useless things rather than spending it where it needs to be--on their family. Sometimes it is hard to love when you see someone driving a fancy car, dripping in jewelry, when you know there are people out there that are hurting and could use help.

As I was contemplating this verse, I was thinking of ways that people are 'poor'- but not just monetarily. People with addictions, depression, loneliness, hatred that eats at them...there are so many ways that people are needy.

I am not going to make this a long study today. In your personal time, think about ways that people are 'poor'. In your journal, just don't make a list of these ways, but make a list of people. List their need and how you might begin to be gracious to help them with that need. It may not be something that you can do right away. And you may have to do it again, and again.

An example-- I have a half-brother that is a drug addict. He has lived with me numerous times; once even on house arrest. Each time I tried to be loving and gracious in spite of his addiction.I would encourage and praise him when he did good.  That doesn't mean that I just let him get away with things. The minute I caught him with drugs--I was the one to call his parole officer.  I haven't had contact with my brother since he found out I'm married to someone who works for the Dept of Corrections (go figure!) but I know that he knows that I am praying for him and that I will welcome him with open arms next time he shows his face.