Proverbs 28:11

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about the rich and poor: 

Proverbs 28:11 (NASV)

The rich man is wise in his own eyes,

But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

Proverbs 28:11 (NIV)

A rich man may be wise in his own eyes,

but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

Money can distort a man's vision.   It can make them "think" they are wiser than they really are.   People love to run to rich men to ask them for advice.   The assumption is that if they have money they also must have wisdom.   The contrast is also assumed: If we don't have money we are not successful and, therefore, not worthy to ask for wisdom.    But, God's wisdom is not the same as man's logic.   Man's logic fails in the face of Godly truth.   God states that a poor man with discernment can see right through the rich man's facade.  Like the Wizard of Oz  the poor man sees them standing behind the curtain.   The Fear of The Lord produces wisdom and discernment.   The Fear of Money (respect for it and desire for it) produces a false sense of security both in the one who has it and the one who doesn't have it.  Men will constantly look to the rich for their wisdom.   The poor, who have nothing and have come to the point where they realize it, are given Wisdom and Discernment.   It is better to be poor with discernment than wealthy with false wisdom.