Rich and poor. It is better to be rich in character and poor in wealth, especially when that wealth is acquired by deception (vv. 1, 22). If friendship is based on wealth, it is not friendship at all (vv. 4, 6–7). True friendship goes much deeper. Be careful how you treat the poor because God is concerned about them (v. 17).
Wise and foolish. Wise people submit to the Lord and walk a straight way, but fools argue with the Lord and twist their way (v. 3). Wealth is no evidence of wisdom (v. 10); in fact, a fool only wastes wealth.
Fathers and sons. Every father wants wise sons who will use their inheritance wisely (vv. 13–14). Lazy sons only bring poverty (v. 15). The father who chastens his son will help him build character (v. 18), but the son who chases his father away will bring shame and reproach (v. 26). Sons who listen to their fathers (and their Father in heaven) will stay on the right path (v. 27). (This paragraph can also be applied to mothers and daughters.)
The Poor
Some people become poor because of having wrong values (Prov. 16:16), being lazy (Prov. 10:4; 14:23), following sinful pleasures (Prov. 21:17; 23:21), refusing good counsel (Prov. 13:18), and not planning carefully (Prov. 21:5). But some are poor because they cannot help it. They may be the victims of injustice (Prov. 22:22–23) or have such heavy debts they cannot succeed (Prov. 22:7). You should show mercy to the poor (Prov. 14:21, 31; 19:17; 21:13), for the same Lord made us all (Prov. 22:2).
