Proverbs 19:22 Commentary and Bible Study

The lexicons tell us that the Hebrew can be translated ‘The desire of a man’ or ‘The thing desired in a man’. The first rendering is followed by the KJV and is generally understood to refer to the desire of a man to do good. That desire to do good is the measure of his kindness, because the generosity of his heart shows that there is kindness within him, whether or not his means enable him to express that kindness. The second rendering refers not to the desire of the man himself, but to the what others desire in him and therefore what he ought to desire in himself. It must be understood to say that kindness is the great thing we should aim at, and if we find that a commitment to kindness is causing us to remain in poverty, then we should accept that. On no account should we choose the false path that involves forsaking kindness. The second rendering relates the two halves of the proverb together much more clearly.The perspective of heaven is very different to the perspective of earth. What heaven wishes to see in men is kindness and all that goes with it: gentleness, consideration of others, mercy, truthfulness, helpfulness to the needy, and the absence of cunning, plotting, scheming, malice, hatred, cruelty, and evil speaking. This is what makes a person great in the eyes of heaven. But on earth, kindness is not counted as something very important. Indeed, it may be an obstacle to what really matters: the accumulation of wealth, the building of fine houses, a reputation among men, and the obtaining of power. Those who are committed to kindness cannot allow themselves to do certain things that would advance their position in the world. Because they are aware of this, some are ready to forsake kindness in the interest of their ambitions. Never mind that God sets a much higher value on this than on any of the things that man admires; they are willing to sacrifice the one for the other. The most obvious way to get what he wants is to jettison integrity. By lying the man of the world can free himself from tiresome obligations, can obtain goods under false pretences, can steal what does not belong to him, and build up a persona that is admired in the world without worrying about whether it is true of not. Those who remain poor for the sake of the kingdom of heaven will be rewarded with far greater riches in the world to come.