He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. He who increases his wealthThis phrase speaks to the accumulation of riches, a common pursuit throughout history. In the Hebrew context, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, yet the means of acquiring it were crucial. The Hebrew word for "increases" (רָבָה, rabah) implies multiplication or growth, suggesting a deliberate effort to expand one's financial resources. The Bible consistently warns against the love of money ( 1 Timothy 6:10), urging believers to prioritize righteousness over riches. by interest and usury
The terms "interest" and "usury" (נֶשֶׁךְ, neshek and תַרְבִּית, tarbit) refer to the practice of charging excessive interest on loans, which was condemned in the Old Testament. In ancient Israel, lending to fellow Israelites with interest was prohibited (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:36-37), as it exploited the vulnerable. This practice is seen as unjust and contrary to the spirit of community and care that God intended for His people. The Bible calls for fairness and compassion, especially towards those in need. lays it up
The phrase "lays it up" suggests storing or saving wealth, often with the intention of future use. The Hebrew word (צָבַר, tsabar) can imply hoarding, which contrasts with the biblical principle of generosity. Jesus taught that treasures on earth are temporary and urged His followers to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). This highlights the futility of amassing wealth through unjust means, as it ultimately serves no eternal purpose. for one who is kind to the poor
This part of the verse introduces a divine irony: wealth gained through exploitation is ultimately destined for those who are compassionate. The Hebrew word for "kind" (חָנַן, chanan) conveys grace and favor, reflecting God's heart for the poor. Scripture consistently emphasizes God's concern for the marginalized and His call for His people to act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8). The verse suggests that God, in His sovereignty, will redistribute wealth to those who align with His values of kindness and generosity. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Wealth AccumulatorThis person is characterized by gaining wealth through interest and usury, which implies exploiting others financially. 2. The Kind BenefactorThis individual is the eventual recipient of the wealth accumulated by the first person. They are noted for their kindness to the poor. 3. The PoorRepresenting those in need, the poor are the focus of the benefactor's kindness and generosity. Teaching Points The Ethics of Wealth AccumulationThe Bible warns against gaining wealth through unethical means such as excessive interest and usury. Believers are called to consider the impact of their financial practices on others. God's Justice and RedistributionGod’s justice ensures that wealth gained through exploitation will ultimately benefit those who are righteous and kind to the poor. This reflects a divine redistribution that aligns with God’s values. The Call to GenerosityChristians are encouraged to be generous and kind, especially to the poor. This aligns with the character of God and His commands throughout Scripture. Trust in God's ProvisionBelievers should trust that God will provide for their needs as they act justly and generously, rather than relying on unethical financial practices. The Role of StewardshipChristians are stewards of the resources God has given them. They should use their wealth to bless others, particularly those in need, reflecting God’s love and compassion. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Proverbs 28:8 challenge our modern financial practices, especially regarding loans and interest? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our financial dealings reflect the biblical principles of justice and compassion? 3. How does the concept of divine redistribution in Proverbs 28:8 encourage us to trust in God's justice and provision? 4. What are some practical ways we can be "kind to the poor" in our communities today? 5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the principles found in Proverbs 28:8 regarding wealth and generosity? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 22:25This verse prohibits charging interest to the poor, highlighting God's concern for fair treatment and compassion towards those in need. Psalm 112:5This passage praises the man who deals generously and lends freely, contrasting with the one who gains wealth through usury. Luke 6:34-35Jesus teaches about lending without expecting anything in return, emphasizing the virtue of generosity over financial gain. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Amasses, Augmenteth, Augments, Biting, Excessive, Exorbitant, Favouring, Gain, Gather, Gathereth, Gathers, Gets, Gracious, Greater, Increase, Increases, Increaseth, Interest, Kind, Makes, Multiplying, Pity, Poor, Substance, Taking, Unjust, Usury, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:8 5353 interest
5414 money, stewardship
5870 greed, condemnation
5907 miserliness
8291 kindness Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 28:8 NIVProverbs 28:8 NLTProverbs 28:8 ESVProverbs 28:8 NASBProverbs 28:8 KJV
Proverbs 28:8 Commentaries
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