Proverbs 13:8 Commentary and Bible Study

While some see this proverb as extolling the virtues of riches – the rich man is able to pay a ransom to redeem his life – others interpret it in precisely the opposite way, and understand Solomon to point out the disadvantage of being rich and the relative advantage of poverty. The rich man is known to be rich and therefore the kidnapper who chooses his victim carefully takes note of this. He wants to extract a large ransom and so he targets those with wealth and does not bother with the poor who, even if they wanted to, have nothing to pay. Both rich and poor are not to be taken at face value but are illustrations, for these proverbs are spiritual in nature and not simply concerned with the practicalities of handling money. The real message is about being poor in spirit, for the one who boasts that he is rich, that he is increased in goods and has need of nothing, attracts the judgment of God. Christ will make him to know that he is wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17). He on the other hand who considers himself poor in spirit is fit for the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:1), and is in fact rich (Revelation 2:9), and will be experience the Passover of the Lord (Exodus 12:13).