Friday!

Proverbs!

A rich person 

is wise in his own eyes, 

but a poor one who has discernment sees through him. 

Proverbs 28:11 CSB 

This proverb is not anti-wealth or rich vs poor, it's about the effect of wealth.

The only clue we have about the first person with the trait of being "wise in his own eyes" is wealth. The implication is that their wealth has shaped their view of themselves, others, the world they live in, and God. 

What shapes us?

What's the lens through which I see myself, others, the world I live in, and God?

The other person in the proverb has discernment. Is the implication that this comes from being poor? Without the wealth lens?

Or has this discernment come from outside of the person?

This second person certainly "sees" in a different way, is not "wise in his own eyes". That would indicate that this discernment is from outside the person, from others, the world around, from God. 

This proverb places us in a binary, wealth/wise in own eyes or poor/discerning. The reality is we might be in both at times. 

Maybe it's just to get us to think, to think about ourselves, what has hold of our hearts, our minds, what we're placing our hope in, what is shaping how I see myself?

What is shaping how I see others, the world, God?

And what is my source of discernment?

#proverbs

#wisdom

#itsaheartthing

#discernment