PROVERBS 19

HONOR GOD THROUGH HELPING HIS CREATION

Solomon warns that while wealth can make you popular and bring new friends, those people might only care about you for what you can give to them. Solomon describes the generous person who gives to the needy as actually lending that money to God, saying He will repay generosity with goodness. Helping God’s creation honors God as the Maker. It is better to be a poor person with integrity than a rich fool. 

Solomon describes the person who seeks wisdom as someone who loves their soul and says they will discover good knowledge and understanding. Having desires without knowledge is not good and those who rush ahead without wisdom will fail. Those who listen to advice gain wisdom for the future, but God’s purpose will prevail over the plans of man. Fear of the Lord leads to life, rest, and satisfaction. 

Solomon emphasizes the importance of being slow to anger and claims that the person of great wrath will have a penalty to pay. Instead, someone with good sense is slow to anger and overlooks offenses. When a person’s rage brings them to ruin, they often blame God for the consequences of their actions and decisions.