Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 14:31, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
American Standard Version
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.
World English Bible version
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
Proverbs 14:31 Meaning & Commentary
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. – Proverbs 14:31 (ESV)
Our relationship with and to God is reflected in our lives with others. When Jesus taught the commandments, he summed everything up in two commandments: Mark 12:30-31 – And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
If we truly love God and therefore love others, we will “uphold” all the other commandments. God loves people so much that he sent Jesus Christ to die for the world so we could be saved through Him: John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Therefore, we can better understand the teaching and explanation of Proverbs 14:31 – when you oppress a poor man (or anybody, for that matter), you insult the one who made that person, who is God. Imagine you oppress, put down, or treat someone else’s children poorly. What would the father and mother think? They would be angry, upset, and even feel insulted personally by you! How must God feel when we do the same to His creation, especially a poor person who may be unable to fend for themselves?
However, just as when we treat God’s creation with disdain, we insult The Lord; in like manner, when we are generous to the needy and care for those who cannot care for themselves, we honor God, and it is just as if we were doing it to Him: Matthew 25:37-40 – Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Application
How can we apply Proverbs 14:31 to our lives?
The Bible says we must love God and others as the first and second great commandments. This is the key because when you love someone, you will care for them, help them, and be generous. The Bible even questions the love of God in our lives if we claim to love God, but there is no resultant giving in our life: 1 John 3:17 – But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
The Bible takes it further and explains “why” we love God, and it is because He first loved us: 1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us. No doubt, many of us can testify of how and when God found us – we may not have been very “loveable” people; perhaps we were even “Anti-God,” yet He still reached out and met us where we were. We are to take the same love God has given us and extend it to others:
Ephesians 5:1-2 – Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. We know God loved the world so much that He gave Jesus Christ.
So, whatever we have, we should be givers and be generous. If we have money, we should help as we can. If we have time, energy, or any other resources, we need to give and help as we are able. This is the true heart and nature of Christianity. God has already poured His love into our hearts; we need to take that love and extend it to others, wherever we find ourselves: Romans 5:5 – and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Prayer
Mighty God, Thank You for the great example of love you set by sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me. Please forgive me, where I have been selfish and not considered or cared for Your creation.
I choose from this day forward to honor you by loving, caring for, and being generous towards Your creation. I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
https://biblicallywise.com/proverbs-14-31-meaning/
Why do you have a picture of a rural African woman to depict poverty? There are a lot of poor people on these shores. We must not perpetuate mainstream stereotypes.