Proverbs 19:17

17 ¹Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he ²will repay him for his ³deed.

Proverbs 19:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:17

He that hath pity unto the poor lendeth unto the Lord
A man, whose heart is full of compassion to the poor, and whose hands distribute to their necessities, from a true principle of love and charity to men, and with a view to the glory of God, and not from any selfish principle and with a end; such a man's gift to the poor is a loan to the Lord; it is not cast away upon the creature, but is a "depositum" in the hands of God, and shall be returned with advantage; and that which he hath given will, he pay him again;
either in this life, in things temporal and spiritual, increasing his worldly substance, blessing his posterity, granting him larger measures of grace, indulging him with his gracious presence, and giving him peace of mind, which passeth all understanding; or in the world to come; not as a reward of debt, but of grace; see ( Ecclesiastes 11:1 Ecclesiastes 11:2 ) ( Matthew 10:42 ) ( 25:35 ) .

Proverbs 19:17 In-Context

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.

17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 22:9; Proverbs 28:27; Ecclesiastes 11:1; Matthew 10:42; Hebrews 6:10]; See Deuteronomy 15:7-10; Matthew 25:40; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
• 2. [Luke 6:38]
• 3. See Proverbs 12:14