Proverbs 29.14
“If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.”
This proverb naturally follows from the previous verse. Both verses focus on a king’s mindset toward the poor.
Solomon is not thinking of a Robin Hood mentality. He is not suggesting a strategy of rob the rich to give to the poor. Nor is he thinking of the distinctions between capitalism and socialism. His primary purpose is not political, economic, or social … though there are profound implications in all of those categories.
What Solomon is addressing is a moral and a spiritual matter. He is talking about the character of the king, and how the king’s character shapes the way he leads, especially with respect to how he treats people in poverty.
“Faithfully judging the poor” speaks of government leaders who are fair, honest, and just in their programs toward people in poverty. The hope, of course, is that government leaders will establish effective policies and won’t make the poverty situation more difficult.
Government leaders can make things worse for the poor in at least two ways: 1) Failing to provide resources and assistance, thereby leaving the poor to fend for themselves. 2) Giving the poor assistance, but not requiring them to take responsibility for their choices and habits, thereby tethering the poor to government welfare and reinforcing a cycle of unhealthy dependency.
It is essential that government leaders have the right kind of character and integrity; that they be fair and just; that they are not greedy and heartless with respect to the poor; that they have a vision and strategy for supporting and empowering people in poverty. If leaders have these qualities, they will consider the cause of the poor. Wise leaders have a heart for the poor and needy.
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3.17-18)
