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!