Proverbs 31:20

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insights about the poor:

Proverbs 31:20 (ESV)

She opens her hand to the poor

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

God's Word is full of admonishments, commands and instructions on how to treat the poor and needy.   In fact, one of the major sins of the nation of Israel that brought about their discipline by God at the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians was their failure to care for the needy in the land.  It only takes Isaiah three chapters to mention their failure to treat the poor of the land justly:

Isaiah 3:14

The Lord enters into judgment with the elders and princes of His people,

“It is you who have devoured the vineyard;

The plunder of the poor is in your houses.

The word "poor" is translated over thirty times in the book of Proverbs alone.   Solomon and the other writers  of the proverbs were very much concerned about the poor, needy and those who needed help in the land of Israel.  Solomon in particular must have been extremely convicted as he was so blessed by God for his pursuit of God.   Solomon, no doubt, had read the word from the prophet Samuel about the poor:

1 Samuel 2:7

“ The Lord makes poor and rich;

 He brings low, He also exalts.

Since God makes the poor, we are to care for them.   All of this is to show "why" in Proverbs 31 God mentions that a women of virtue, who is honored by God, will, of course, do God's business and care for the poor.   This women mentioned in this chapter is not so concerned about her own life or the life of her husband and children that she also doesn't care for the destitute around her.  Virtue is not something done in isolation.   Good character cares for the needs of others and puts those needs high on the list of "things to do today.'   This women in Proverbs 31 was concerned about what God was concerned about.   That is the definition of virtue.