II. TOP TEN PROVERBS FOR CONCERN FOR OTHERS
A. Consider these ten passages from the Proverbs regarding our concern for others.
1. "Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.” (Prov. 15:17)
a. The proverb shows the superior value of love by means of a contrast. It teaches that love is better than luxury.
b. In the New Testament, 1Corinthians 13 teaches us the more excellent way of love. Like this proverb, 1Corinthians 13 shows that all things are worthless without love.
2. "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.” (Prov. 10:12)
a. Hatred and love are opposites not only in attitudes but also in effects. Hatred causes only problems, but love has the opposite effect of settling problems.
b. Love covers transgressions not by hiding or deception, but rather by atonement, mercy, and grace. "By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for...” (Prov. of love. Like this proverb, 1Corinthians 13 shows that many things are worthless without love.16:6).
c. Again, 1Corinthians 13 gives us insight into this matter, saying that love "does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth...” (vv. 5-6).
d. The apostle Peter wrote a similar message in 1Peter 4:8 – "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
3. "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.” (Prov. 3:27-28)
a. This proverb expresses God’s expectation for us to give in the time of need without delay. It is of no use to be generous after the need has passed.
b. As always, God is not unreasonable in His expectations, for He only requires that which is within our power to do. As the apostle Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 8:12 – "For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.”
4. "The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern.” (Prov. 29:7)
a. Justice should be the same for all men whether they are rich or poor. This is the godly principle of Leviticus 19:15 – "You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”
b. A righteous man has a special concern for the rights of the poor because the poor are often oppressed and defrauded because of their lack of resources. A righteous man will not be affected by power, money, influence, etc., when determining justice.
c. A wicked man does not understand the reasoning of the righteous. He merely looks out for his own interests with no regard for justice.
5. "He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.” (Prov. 14:21)
a. To despise a person is to hold him in contempt or count him as worthless. Jesus taught the sinfulness of such an attitude in Matthew 5:22 – "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”
b. On the other hand, a man who is gracious to the poor is happy, which means that his generosity to others is truly a blessing unto himself.
6. "One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.” (Prov. 19:17)
a. This proverb puts a new perspective on the matter of charity, for God takes it as a personal favor when we help His people. (Compare this with Christ’s words in Matthew 25:34-45.)
b. This is one of several proverbs that promise rewards and blessings to those who are generous. Consider some others:
i. "He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” (Prov. 22:9)
ii. "He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” (Prov. 28:27)
iii. "A gracious woman attains honor, and ruthless men attain riches. The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm.” (Prov. 11:16-17)
7. "He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.” (Prov. 17:5)
a. Just as in the last proverb, this one shows us that our Creator takes personally the treatment that we give to others of His creation. Here we see the wickedness of mocking the poor and rejoicing at their misfortune.
b. A similar message is given in Proverbs 14:31 – "He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.”
c. These teachings show us that we cannot have true reverence for God while having no regard for men who are made in God’s image.
8. "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him.” (Prov. 24:17-18)
a. This proverb takes the idea of the last proverb a step farther by applying it to our enemies. We should never be delighted at the misfortune of others including our own enemies.
b. God’s plan for dealing with enemies is expressed in the following passages:
i. "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:43-45)
ii. "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” (Prov. 25:21-22; Rom. 12:20)
9. "A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” (Prov. 12:10)
a. A righteous man’s concern for others is so broad that it even extends to his animals.
b. If a man is conscientious enough to be concerned for animals, then he will likely have a godly regard for all men.
10. "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.” (Prov. 12:25)
a. The other proverbs in this lesson commend generosity, justice, and concern for others, but many times the best effect we can have on others is through kind words.
b. What greater anxiety does anyone have than that which comes from the burden of sin? What better words can anyone speak than the good news of Jesus Christ who brings salvation to sinners? "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Rom. 10:15)
B. Other proverbs to consider are:
1. Regarding love – 3:3-4; 16:6; 17:9, 17; 27:5
2. Regarding benevolence and generosity – 11:24-26; 21:13; 25:14
III. CONCLUSION
A. The ultimate demonstration of concern for others was given by our Lord when He sacrificed Himself in order to save us (Phil. 2:3-8). Christ is the role model for us to imitate in selfless love for others.
B. This is the final lesson in this series, but you are encouraged to study other topics from the Proverbs for yourself, such as motives of the heart, jealousy, envy, strife, greed, drunkenness, adultery, justice, honesty, violence, courage, and many others.
