The Poor Man Is a Poor Man
“Poor fellow. He just couldn’t catch a break.” We’ve probably all heard words to that effect concerning some unfortunate person. Solomon states that one who may be described perpetually as a poor guy is the man without any money. “The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends” (Pr. 14:20). It sounds cynical to say it, but how many people operate under the system, “What have you done for me lately?” In other words, a neighbor is only of value when he has something to offer. If he is wealthy, he might buy some gifts for his friends or bestow his generosity by hosting a feast. A poor neighbor will not be able to engage in anything so beneficial.
“Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend” (Pr. 19:4). Of course, one wonders if wealth makes that much difference, how strong was the friendship? To be sure, those who are “movin’ on up” would deny that their success would alter their friendship, but it slowly does affect their once-close relationship. The haves are going to be spending more time with their fellow haves, leaving the havenots more time to spend with other havenots. The common bond of the gospel transcends any earthly factors, such as wealth, education, or social status. If wealth becomes the basis of friendship, what happens when it is stolen or lost? Does that “friendship” end?
“Many entreat the favor of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts” (Pr. 19:6). People tend to gravitate toward those who have something to offer. But it gets worse. “All the brothers of the poor hate him…” (v. 7a). One can envision six brothers sitting around the table. “Ah! Poor Reuben. He’s just barely scraping by.” “Yes, but we dare not help him. The way he goes through money, we would all soon be as poor as he is.” “That’s right. The best thing we can do for him is to let him figure out how to manage his life.” Therefore, the brothers stay away from him, lest poverty might become catching. Even more so do his friends desert him (7b).
“He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him” (7c). As they walk away from him, he makes a last effort to reason with them. “It’s not entirely my fault; my wife has been ill. The well went dry. I just need a little help to get through this rough patch. Make me a loan, and I will pay you back.” His pleas, however, fall on deaf ears. Should he recover and prosper, how many friends would he then have? Solomon comments on this materialistic way of thinking: “He who despises his neighbor sins; and he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Pr. 14:21). Friendship should not carry a monetary price tag. Neither should it matter when preaching the gospel (James 2:1-9).