”There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.“
Proverbs 13:7
This is one to wrap your head and heart around. As mentioned previously, I believe Proverbs was written to incorporate levels and layers. This passage embodies these levels and layers by making a simplistic contrast that runs its roots to the core of the human soul and beyond- into the realm of divinity. However, before exploring the commentary of the passage, it is important to understand the beginning and the end. Your beginning and end. Each human is created equal. Not equal size, ability, net worth or intelligence; but equal in value. The Declaration of Independence held this as its first self evident truth. This is the beginning; we all start with the same inherent value. The value, in essence, is the hope that we can improve our world by our existence.
The end is similar. When the bio-mechanical suit each of us inhabit, what we call a body, ceases to function and we are separated from it, what value are you? You, not the body you were in, the financial net worth you are leaving, not even the memories; what value do you have? The old preacher said we could not take anything with us but that statement only applies to exterior value. I think we are to use our time on earth to make ourselves valuable; by leaving a legacy, our mark, on the world. It is also quite possible the value we build in ourselves is designed to transfer to the next life. Keep that ideal in mind as we discuss the rich man that has nothing and the poor man that has (not had) great riches:
Back to the commentary:
It is a face value observation to say someone can dedicate their life to making money and they will have nothing. Their avarice chased away any love, respect, or happiness- think of Charles Dickens’ Scrooge. Then immediately contrast with Bob Cratchit who made himself poor but had love, respect and happiness. In short, money is only one measure of wealth. Choosing to major on its acquisition can cost you dearly.
Citation:
Author Charles Dickens.
A Christmas Carol
1843 public domain
Which brings us to the next iteration. Focusing on gaining one factor of wealth will cost you the others. A sliding scale, if you will. More of one less of the other. Choose wisely where you want to stand on the scale.
In yet another cipher, we see our life is actually about building our inner value. If we see our value in what we own then we have no real value. If, instead, we concentrate on building our value on character, discipline, education and in our ability to help others then we might have a lower net worth but an extremely high value.
To go beyond mere mortals and extend into the great beyond in mythology, fables and religion, consider the plight of the gods. The mere thought of the statement, “plight of the gods,” sounds like an oxymoron but stop and consider. Which one was able to float through life and have everything with no scheme, battle or betrayal. I cannot think of any. Our religious heroes, cosmic beings and idols had their values challenged. Even our fables involve a value structure. The true value of life is not one measure. Remember, Satan is called the Prince and Power of the air, however one day he will be thrown into eternal damnation for his usurpation of authority.
If you pursue the truth on a different path we see things even deeper to our being than perceived valuables. Take, for example, Pilgrims Progress penned by John Bunyan or consider the Ninety-five theses posted by Martin Luther. Both men were making themselves poor but became wealthy, not monetarily. Their writings have survived several hundred years and were so impactful they created a new view of the world. They proved you could stand for your beliefs against tyranny and the more punishment endured the more they were hailed as a hero.
When you learn Truth has levels and layers it becomes so much more interesting to explore. Your eyes are exposed to light and the longer you can bear to hold on to Truth the more it remakes you.
To summarize, It is as natural as life and death; Life is struggle. Overestimating value on any of the true valuables, be it piety or paycheck, makes you poor in other areas. Choose wisely what values you pursue.