Proverbs 14:21-25
 
Prov 14:21 (KJB)
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
 
Mercy - Compassion
Happy - Blessed
 
Those who hate their neighbor just because they are poor are committing a sin and it is the sin of hatred without a cause. Just because a person is poor does not mean they lack value. There is much wisdom among the poor and many good things to be learned. Those who treat the poor with compassion and not with contempt will be blessed because they see the worth of the poor. Their value is not based upon how much money they have but upon the fact they were created in the image of God and by God. (Luke 12:15 KJV) And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. A man’s value is not based upon what possessions he has because when he dies he leaves everything to greedy relatives. A man’s value is based on whether he is saved or not. On Judgment Day, riches will do nothing to bring a person to Heaven but if they are saved, they will go right in on the last day.
　
Prov 14:22 (KJB)
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
 
Do they not err - Will they not go astray
Devise - Engrave or plow in reference to devising
 
Those who seek to devise a plan of evil are already going astray from the truth of God. In fact, the word devise is a very strong word because it carries with it the idea of engraving or plowing. When you engrave something, it normally cannot be undone which means the damage is done and the consequences are visible. Then the second meaning of devise carries with it the idea of plowing. When someone plows a field and plants the seeds, the seeds germinate and begin to grow. God warns that if we plow our fields in sin, it will begin to grow. (Gal 6:7 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Whatever we sow, we will reap the crop. When a person sows in sin, they will reap the consequences of that sin and sometimes the consequences are so bad, it will overwhelm them.
 
On the other hand, there are the righteous ones who devise good and they plant and engrave with mercy and truth. They are planting the crop to the glory of God and are engraving the truth on the hearts of others. They sow and engrave in truth and are far away from any evil intent or practice. Galatians 6:7 also applies to them but their crops are reaped in righteousness. They bring the gospel of truth to others and here too there will be no crop failure.
 
Prov 14:23 (KJB)
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
 
Profit - Advantage
Penury - Poverty
 
Here is the difference between the diligent and the lazy. Those who labor will find profit in their work. They will not only draw a salary but they will be adding to the economy of their country plus depends on what their profession is, they would be adding to the welfare of those who buy their products or services. On the other hand, there are those who just talk a good story. They are always saying what they are going to do but never do it. This is why the lazy always come to poverty. I once knew a man years ago that I worked with in a factory and he told me that he was not going to do this much longer because he was going to drive a truck. Some years later I went back to the factory for a visit and this man was still there. He only talked about getting out but did nothing toward accomplishing that goal. There is also a spiritual lesson here. Those who labor in the word of God, diligently searching it will find much profit as they learn the word. Those who just talk about the Bible but never learn it will remain spiritually ignorant all their lives and then will expect people to pay attention to what they have to say. It is an amazing phenomenon that the less a person knows, the more they have to say. (Prov 10:19 KJV) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
 
Prov 14:24 (KJB)
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
 
Here are the displays of two different sets of values. First, the wise man wears his wisdom as one who wears a crown. His set of values and his wisdom in handling situations and understanding are evident in everything he does. He handles things in a proper manner and does not get upset when things get tough instead he sees it as a challenge. A wise man, in handling his life correctly may gather some wealth in his life and when it is known that he has riches, people know that it was gained through wisdom and not through illegal means. Then on the other hand, the crown of the fool is his folly. His ways are also evident but he is not known for being wise, instead he is known as being a fool. There is a spiritual lesson here also. The wise man is the one who wins souls. (Prov 11:30 KJV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Therefore, since he wins souls, he will have a rich repository filled with the souls of men who will live eternally in glory.
 
Prov 14:25 (KJB)
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
 
Delivereth - Rescuing
 
The true witness is the one who brings the Gospel of Christ and does not shirk their duty in bringing the full counsel of God, no matter how it may sting those who are hearing it. It is the true Gospel which saves and not a fake, embellished gospel. One can tell a true witness because they bring the Gospel without any additives to soften the blow. When Jonathan Edwards preached his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” he did not pull any punches and told people that without Christ they were hell bound. It is this type of preaching which delivers souls. On the other hand, the deceitful witness will always speak lies. For example, Joel Osteen states he will never mention sin and hell. After all, he doesn’t want to take a chance losing anyone in his mega church because that means less income. Those people under his hearing are just being told how good they are and nonsense like that. They are being comforted on the way to hell. Those who tailor the gospel for personal means or gain are the deceitful witnesses and should never be supported.

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