People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
Summary: Solomon’s discussion of righteousness takes a practical turn with this verse. More than simply a suggestion on “how to win friends,” how we see our neighbors reflects who we are as a person.
Throughout this chapter of Proverbs, Solomon has been discussing what the words “righteous” and “wicked” mean. Like a man turning a large gemstone in his hand, he examines every facet of the stone and comments on it.
- The righteous follow straight paths (Proverbs 11:5)
- Their righteousness delivers them from evil desires (Proverbs 11:6)
- The righteous are rescued from trouble (Proverbs 11:8)
- The city rejoices with the righteous (Proverbs 11:10)
- The righteous attain life (Proverbs 11:19)
- The righteous desire good (Proverbs 11:23)
There is a theme here that plays out in Solomon’s observations about righteousness and the examples he gives. Today’s example takes us into the realm of wealth and commerce.
As a young man, I remember reading a book called “Five Acres and Independence.” It was a kind of “how-to” book on how to live your life free from dependence on other people. It talked about how to build your own home, and water supply, and make everything you need yourself.
I loved the idea of being independent of society. Yet we are never really free of our obligation to God to love others as he loves us.
Suppose a man has some acreage and has been very successful in building up his own means of survival. Over time, he collects barns full of everything a person needs to survive. And when the hard times come, he is ready. He has what he needs and more.
Good for him!
Except people know he has food. People are looking for ways to feed their families. People become highly motivated to find ways to keep from starving.
It is interesting to me that the proverb today does not talk about feeding the poor or giving things away. It reminds me of the story in Genesis 39-48. Joseph becomes the ruler of Egypt during a famine. In the seven years of plenty that precede the famine, Joseph saves up more grain than could be counted. When the famine hits, the people come to him for grain, eventually selling all they own to buy food. Do they resent him for this? No! They are grateful to be alive!
Going back to our successful man with acreage, will people be happy with him if he has food they need, and he refuses to sell? Solomon’s words are a reminder that none of us is an island apart from all others. Some of us are more independent than others, but all of us have the same basic needs. The righteous understand that they need God, but also that they need to do God’s will.
Application: Do a self-check on the things that you own. Do you own them or do they own you?
Food for Thought: Why do you think Solomon refers to selling grain rather than giving it away?
Well, for the able bodied person, there is 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. What if I Everyone expected others to feed and take care of them. We would have able bodied people standing at every off ramp begging.
Good morning, JEC!
Thank you for joining in. Do I sense a bit of irony in your comment this morning??? 🙂
Why do you think Solomon refers to selling grain rather than giving it away?
I think that in this verse Solomon is speaking to a sense of healthy relationships. Not everyone has the means or resources to grow their own food. Someone who does have the ability to grow, harvest, and sell grain, and is willing to sell to others is performing an important function in society. If that person were to give the grain away, they would be unable to continue to grow grain, which would eventually makes things harder for everyone. When a person does have the ability to produce and sell grain, and does so fairly, it promotes good relationships within the community.
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Chris,
Thank you! Sounds like that old saw, “Good fences make good neighbors.” There is a lot of truth there!
God made man with a need to work. In fact, the law doesn’t stipulate you have to work, but rather you have to stop working for one day every week to remember God. The assumption is that we cannot stop, instinctively. And those who have stopped lose something more important than the work. (And I strongly believe that those with long term ailments that prevent normal work still need something worthwhile to do with their time or they will be worse off. I’ve heard many stories of those house bound or bed ridden praying as constantly as possible. Is it technically work, no. But it’s a worthy thing to put your time and energy into)
My dad would tell us kids:
When God talks about a field owner giving to the poor, it’s not like the Oregon Food Bank where everything is neatly labeled and packaged, line up and get your portion. He has them leave spots of the field not completely harvested so that the poor can grab a few handfuls. He still has the poor harvest, and thresh and grind, and whatever else they may need to do to prepare their food. They do something that can actually build them up as a person to acquire food.
When he talks about lending to the poor He says without interest (especially in regards to family) , not that they never pay you back. When He talks about Israelites selling themselves, it always comes with a kinsman redeemer, or the promise of the year of jubilee. (As well as telling the owners to treat them well, like someone hired not bought) This is where we get the closest to just flat out giving to the poor. God says to still lend generously regardless of how close it is to a year of jubilee or remission. In essence, even if you must cancel all debts tomorrow, still lend money.
Don’t get me wrong, God never says don’t give to the poor, (I was only looking at references to the poor that are in the law, but I’m certain, that at other times He does tell us to give to the poor) but His provision seems to consistently be not one sided because we benefit from participating in the effort of getting ‘back on our feet’. Just don’t forget that it’s still God providing, regardless of how much work you do.
Back to the question and stepping off my soap box…….
This passage in Proverbs, however, isn’t about the poor. It’s about someone with means to pay for grain, but having difficulty finding someone who will sell it. If one has grain in excess but will not sell, it’s just a fact that those looking to buy grain will curse them. If one has excess and sells, they will be blessed (especially after meeting that other guy) and they will have a good business.
A –
Nicely said! Your “soap box” provided a great contrast to your point that this passage “isn’t about the poor.” Thank you for sharing!
06-24-2022, Proverbs 11:26, Why do you think Solomon refers to selling grain rather than giving it away?
After creating Adam, God put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. God then created Eve, as a helper comparable to him. It appears God intended Adam and Eve to have a well balanced life with safety, abundant food, meaningful work and fellowship with Him.
Genesis 2:15, 2:18
There are many types of labor, carpenters, masons, shepherds, etc. and it appears to me, God could be teaching us about living within the system of free enterprise where we allow others to benefit from the excess fruit of our labors by trading a portion of theirs for some of ours.
At the same time we have the teachings in God’s word of the rich man and Lazarus who was helpless, in deep poverty willing to take crumbs from the more fortunate, and he was ignored by the rich man who paid the price for his selfishness.
Luke 16:19-31
Jesus tells us that when we show mercy to the poor and help our neighbors in need, knowing we are actually ministering to the Lord Himself. We are to be known by the righteous fruit we yield, not the worldly acquiring of wealth. If we are rich, we are to use that wealth for the glory of God and the love of our neighbor. The Holy Spirit will provide the guidance, we are responsible for our obedience.
Matthew 25:40
Ron,
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
— Matt 25:40
Interesting passage and a powerful perspective. Our service to our Lord is made manifest in our service to others. Package that in the context of today’s discussion and the result is very healthy way of looking at business and charity.
It looks like this topic has been thoroughly discussed. I am with others saying that work is a blessing and people should not expect a handout. Just giving to people without having them work or pay for something when they are able to is not helping them, it is imprisoning them. A great local ministry that operates on this truth in “Friends of the Carpenter” in Vancouver. They let the homeless come in and produce woodwork. They let them use their equipment and teach them employable skills. Then they bless other people with what the homeless made. It gives them purpose, value and teaches them usable skills at the same time.
Rich,
I like your phrasing when you point out that handouts “imprison” people. (That truth should be carved in stone at every State and Federal building in the country!)
👍