Bridges on Proverbs 13:7
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 13:7
 
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7.  There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
 
What a bubble are the world's riches! Yet some will affect their shew, in order to gain the respect usually connected with them (Chapter 12:9); making themselves rich, yet having nothing. Others make themselves poor, ‘and live as if they were so,’† having great riches. In all cases riches are more justly estimated by their use than by their possession. Both dishonour his wisdom and goodness; the one by discontent with his dispensations; the other by neglecting the communication of his blessings. (1 Timothy 6:18.)
The Church presents the counterpart of both these classes. The boasting Pharisee,† the gifted Corinthian;† the proud beggarly Laodicean† — all admire their nothing, as if it were great riches. Others again make themselves poor in “voluntary humility.” Describing their whole course as unmingled sin, they deny the Almighty work of grace. They give excuse for lying under the power of their corruptions; instead of quickening the energy of a successful conflict. Thus they promote the very evil which they deprecate, and sink the soul into a hopeless despondency, alike prejudicial to their happiness and usefulness. Sometimes, indeed, the Christian, from the deep sense of remaining corruption, may be blind to what is evident to every one else, and known to his God. (Revelation 2:9.) But if it is the ruin of the self-deceiver to think himself better, it is at least the hindrance of the upright to think himself worse, than he is.
The true path of simplicity is to renounce all dependence on the flesh, and gladly to welcome the gospel of grace. (Philippians 3:3-9.) Such disciples, rich in their holy poverty, are honoured of the LORD. (Isaiah 66:2. Luke 18:13.) ‘O blessed Lord, who resistest the proud, and givest grace to the humble, give me more humility, that I may receive more grace from thee. And thou, whose gracious rain shelves down from the steep mountains, and sweetly drenches the humble valleys, depress thou my heart more and more with true lowliness of spirit; that the ‘showers of thy heavenly grace may sink into it, and make it more fruitful in all good affection and all holy obedience.’†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 11:9
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
 
 
Footnote:
Scott.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:18
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {willing...: or, sociable}
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 18:11, 12.
 
 
Luke 18:11, 12
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Corinthians 4:8, 10.
 
 
1 Corinthians 4:8, 10
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
 
 
Footnote:
Revelation 3:17, 18.
 
 
Revelation 3:17, 18
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
 
 
Revelation 2:9
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
 
 
Philippians 3:3-9
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 ¶ Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
 
 
Isaiah 66:2
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
 
Luke 18:13.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Hall's Devotional Works, vol. viii. 276.