14: 20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
We have an interesting couplet, verses 20 and 21, that highlights the difference between one kind of proverb and another. Individual proverbs are often taken as a command, or as a warning, or simply as a statement that that is the way things ought to be. Is Verse 20 any of these things? No, not really. This is not a command nor is it a warning, unless it is a warning not to be poor.
When paired with the next verse, the nature of Verse 20 emerges in a new light.
14: 21. It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
Now we can see that Verse 20 is not a statement about the ways things ought to be, but rather an observation that often this is the way things are; and ‘the way things are’ stinks. Verse 21 tells us the right way to frame an interpretation of the couplet. Yes, “the poor are shunned even by their neighbors,” but “it is a sin to despise one’s neighbor.”
In Jesus’ teachings, this is turned into an even more positive statement, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 39). It might be possible to make a bumper sticker or a poster for your wall out of Verse 20, but it would be a mistake to pretend that this is a positive guide to living. One verse is never enough.
Later in this same chapter, Solomon addresses the treatment of the poor again.
14: 31. Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
As Jesus did when he was asked, “What is the greatest commandment,” Solomon also links the treatment of the poor with one’s real attitude toward God. This time the connection highlights our brotherhood and sisterhood with those who are poor. We were both created by God and so we are brothers and sisters because we are the children of God. To deny our essential brotherhood is to deny God.
On the flip side, “whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Why? Because God has, time and again, Old Testament and New, made it clear that a godly society is one that takes care of the poor and the needy.
The Book of Proverbs returns to this theme again. First, there is the admonition to say something when the poor and needy are mistreated by society. “Speak out; judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31: 9).
Second, there is the description of the character of the ideal or “capable wife.” “She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (Proverbs 31: 20).
In the New Testament, care of the poor and needy was one of the marks of the new community of Jesus: “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold” (Acts 4: 34).
What is true of the individual Christian, is true of the Christian community. And what is true of the local community is also true of the nation, any nation, such as the United States of America, for example. Solomon concludes:
14: 34. Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.
Put that on your bumper sticker. No special people, no privileged immunity.
Isaiah lists this among the sins of Israel that brought about its downfall to the Assyrian army. Isaiah speaks to those who make the laws that privilege the rich and powerful.
“Woe to those who make iniquitous decrees,
who write oppressive statutes,
to turn aside the needy from justice
and to rob the poor of my people of their right,
to make widows their spoil
and to plunder orphans!
What will you do on the day of punishment,
in the calamity that will come from far away?
To whom will you flee for help,
and where will you leave your wealth, …” (Isaiah 10: 1-3).
A good question, indeed: What will we do to flee from the wrath to come?