Pro 18:23 | KingComments | STEP | The social conditions in which a person finds himself and the position he has in it have an effect on a person’s character. Poverty works a humble spirit that leads “a poor man” to beg for a favor. Having no other choice, he must speak with “supplications” to get something. “But the rich man answers roughly”, with harsh reproaches and rejection. He has never been in such a position of poverty and cannot imagine the feelings of a poor man. The poor begs, the rich snarls at him. This is how it often happens. The rich man cannot have any sympathy for the poor man. Wealth often leads to being insensitive to the need of a poor man, who is roughly shaken off by the rich man when he makes his need known (cf. ; ; ). The Lord Jesus gives us the good example. He listens to the supplications of the poor man and answers not roughly, but with love and compassion.

‏ Proverbs 18:23

Supplications and Rough Answers

The social conditions in which a person finds himself and the position he has in it have an effect on a person’s character. Poverty works a humble spirit that leads “a poor man” to beg for a favor. Having no other choice, he must speak with “supplications” to get something. “But the rich man answers roughly”, with harsh reproaches and rejection. He has never been in such a position of poverty and cannot imagine the feelings of a poor man.

The poor begs, the rich snarls at him. This is how it often happens. The rich man cannot have any sympathy for the poor man. Wealth often leads to being insensitive to the need of a poor man, who is roughly shaken off by the rich man when he makes his need known (cf. 1Sam 25:17; Jam 2:6; Mt 18:23-35).

The Lord Jesus gives us the good example. He listens to the supplications of the poor man and answers not roughly, but with love and compassion.