Proverbs 13:7
One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about financial deception; it highlights a deeper spiritual truth. The "rich" who have nothing are those who appear wealthy in faith or works but lack true connection with God, while the "poor" who have great riches are those who recognize their spiritual emptiness, making them truly open to God's abundance.
This proverb appears within a collection of wisdom sayings that contrast foolishness with wisdom, and righteousness with wickedness. It's part of a larger section focusing on the folly of pride and the value of diligence and truthfulness, setting up a clear distinction between genuine substance and outward pretense. The verses immediately surrounding it touch on the dangers of deception and the superficiality that often accompanies a lack of true understanding or character.
Some people go all out to look rich, flaunting an image of success. But what's really behind the facade?
This proverb calls out those who create a false sense of prosperity. They might dress expensively, live extravagantly, or boast about their possessions, all while having no real substance to back it up. It's a dangerous game of deception, often driven by pride or an attempt to manipulate others.
Why the Charade?
What if the path to real wealth isn't about accumulating more, but about embracing a humble, perhaps even outwardly 'poor,' state?
The second part of the proverb flips the script, highlighting a profound paradox: someone can appear poor, yet possess immense riches. This isn't about literal poverty, but about a spiritual or internal richness that defies outward appearances.
The Paradox of True Wealth
This isn't about self-inflicted poverty out of greed, but rather a state where one's true value isn't tied to outward displays of wealth.
This passage warns against greed and reminds us that true life doesn't come from possessions, echoing the idea that outward appearances of wealth don't guarantee true richness.
2 Corinthians 6:10Paul uses this imagery, 'as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things,' directly mirroring the proverb's paradox and illustrating how spiritual wealth transcends material possessions.
Revelation 3:17Jesus tells the Laodicean church they say 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,' yet they are 'wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked,' a perfect example of someone pretending to be rich but having nothing.
Philippians 2:6-8Christ Himself is the ultimate example: though he was rich in heavenly glory, He 'made himself poor,' taking on human form and suffering for us, demonstrating true spiritual richness through humble self-emptying.
gillProverbs 13:7: "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing,.... Some persons make a great show of riches, and would be thought to be rich; put on fine clothes, live at a high rate, and appear in great pomp, and yet not worth a farthing; which they do to gratify their pride and ambition, and to draw in others to trust them with their substance. So in spirituals; some persons,…
pulpitProverbs 13:7: "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."
Verse 7. - There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing. "Maketh" may mean "feigns." There are some who pretend to be rich while really they are poor (as Proverbs 12:9), and there are some who make themselves, i.e. pretend to be poor (as misers) while they have much wealth. The Vulgate elucidates this meaning by rendering, quasi dives and quasi pauper; and the H…
This verse isn't just about financial deception; it highlights a deeper spiritual truth. The "rich" who have nothing are those who appear wealthy in faith or works but lack true connection with God, while the "poor" who have great riches are those who recognize their spiritual emptiness, making them truly open to God's abundance.
This proverb appears within a collection of wisdom sayings that contrast foolishness with wisdom, and righteousness with wickedness. It's part of a larger section focusing on the folly of pride and the value of diligence and truthfulness, setting up a clear distinction between genuine substance and outward pretense. The verses immediately surrounding it touch on the dangers of deception and the superficiality that often accompanies a lack of true understanding or character.
This proverb appears within a collection of wisdom sayings that contrast foolishness with wisdom, and righteousness with wickedness. It's part of a larger section focusing on the folly of pride and the value of diligence and truthfulness, setting up a clear distinction between genuine substance and outward pretense. The verses immediately surrounding it touch on the dangers of deception and the superficiality that often accompanies a lack of true understanding or character.
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"One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth." — This verse isn't just about financial deception; it highlights a deeper spiritual truth. The "rich" who have nothing are those who appear wealthy in faith or works but lack true connection with God…
