Bridges on Proverbs 28:6
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 28:6
 
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6.  Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
 
This Proverb is repeated† for its valuable instruction. One part of the comparison, implied before, is here expressed — though he be rich. Before, he was described as perverse in is lips. A deeper trait of character is here given — perverse in his ways, or his principles. This is one of those paradoxes, that sometimes stumble the feet even of God's children. (Psalm 73:2-16.) A man may walk in his uprightness, and yet be poor. He may be perverse in his ways, and be rich. And yet the poor man, with all his external disadvantages, is better; more honorable, more happy, more useful than the rich, with all his earthly splendor.†
To come to a solid scriptural decision on this point is of great practical moment. For if we are dazzled with the glitter of this world's glory, we shall reverse the golden rule (Matthew 6:33); and “seek” first the world as our grand object: and “the kingdom of God,” the interests of the soul, the stake of eternity, will occupy only the second place; that is — virtually they will be thrust out.
This is a just balance, however counter it may be to common opinion. Dishonesty is the besetting temptation of the poor. (Chapter 30:9.) Yet in despite of this temptation, he walks in his uprightness. Is there not a glory around his poverty, infinitely beyond the vain show of this world? The rich man is perverse in his ways; “a double-minded man,” endeavoring to walk in two ways;† outwardly following godliness, inwardly deceit; pretending to go one way, walking in another. Who can trust him?
So far then as concerns character, the comparison is in favor of the poor. As regards condition — Who would not prefer the lot of Elijah, subsisting upon his barrel of meal, to Ahab in all the glory of his throne?† Who does not see a dignity in Paul standing at the bar, that throws the worldly rank of his judges into utter insignificance?†
But the truth is of general application. Outward superiority only affects our state before God, as increasing proportionably our responsibilities. (Luke 12:48.) How many will wish, that they had lived and died in obscure poverty, with “a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man” (Acts 24:16); rather than have been entrusted with riches; only in the perverseness of their ways to embolden them to sin with a high hand against God and their own souls!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 19:1. The LXX. translation of this verse, 28:6, is — ‘A poor man is better than a rich lie’ — the abstract for the concrete. Compare chapter 19:22. Psalm 62:9.
 
 
Proverbs 19:1
1 ¶ Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
 
Compare
Proverbs 19:22
22 ¶ The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
 
Psalm 62:9
9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. {altogether: or, alike}
 
 
Psalm 73:2-16
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. {firm: Heb. fat} 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. {in...: Heb. in the trouble of other men} {like: Heb. with} 6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. {have...: Heb. pass the thoughts of the heart} 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. {chastened: Heb. my chastisement was} 15 ¶ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; {too...: Heb. labour in mine eyes}
 
 
Footnote:
There is a fine passage from Cicero, which it is difficult to translate without losing much of its spirit — ‘A contented mind is as good as an estate. Frugality is itself a revenue. To be satisfied with one's lot is to be really and infallibly rich. If landed possessions are most highly valued by shrewd judges of human affairs, as a property, which is least liable to injury; how inestimably precious must true virtue, which cannot be snatched from us by force or by fraud; which cannot be damaged by shipwreck or by fire; which no tempests or political disturbances can change! They alone, who are endowed with this treasure, can be said to be truly rich. They alone possess what is fruitful and durable. What is allotted to them they deem sufficient. They covet nothing. They really want nothing. They require nothing. The wicked and the avaricious, on the contrary, so far from being rich, are in reality miserably poor; inasmuch as they have no certain treasure, and are always impatient for some addition to their stores, never satisfied with their present possessions.’ — Paradox, vi. 3.
 
 
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 
 
Proverbs 30:9
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. {deny...: Heb. belie thee}
 
 
Footnote:
Heb. perverse in two ways, James 1:8.
 
 
James 1:8
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Kings 17:13-15, with 21:1-4, 19.
 
 
1 Kings 17:13-15
13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. {sendeth: Heb. giveth} 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. {many...: or, a full year}
 
with
1 Kings 21:1-4, 19
1 ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. {seem...: Heb. be good in thine eyes}
3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. 4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. 19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
 
 
Footnote:
Acts 24:24-26; 26:27-29. 2 Timothy 4:16, 17.
 
 
Acts 24:24-26
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
 
Acts 26:27-29
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
 
2 Timothy 4:16, 17
16 ¶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
 
 
Luke 12:48
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
 
 
Acts 24:16
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.