Proverbs 14:20

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 insight about the poor: 

Proverbs 14:20 (ESV)

The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,

but the rich has many friends.

What a sad but true fact of life, this proverb.   The poor, who we should and are told to care for, are often rejected (hated) in life.   The rich, we should and are told to beware, are often desired (loved) in life.   The contrasts in this proverb are many.  The poor vs. the rich.   The poor is "hated" and the rich "loved."   The poor is hated by his "neighbor" and the rich is loved by "many" (who are not mentioned and don't know the rich).   The self-seeking of those in this world is so apparent.   The poor has nothing to offer and typically only want from those they know.  The rich has everything to offer but typically gives nothing.   But the promise of what they can offer is enough to entice others to be their "friends."   God's law made it so no one could accumulate wealth unfairly or indefinitely.  God has mercy on the poor and claim on the rich.   Christ died for both and there is no difference in the sin of either or the redemption of both.   We are warned by Solomon to not get caught up in the nature of the world.   When we see the poor we are to see them like God does and give them mercy and love and provision.   When we see the rich we are to see them like God does and give them warning to not trust their riches and to seek our needs on a daily basis; not the accumulation of things.

See also: Proverbs 14:21,31