Proverbs 28:27

27 Be generous to the poor - you'll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.

Proverbs 28:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:27

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack
That gives alms unto them, relieves them in their distress, supplies them with money, food, or clothes, and does it cheerfully, largely, and liberally, as the case requires; such an one shall not want any good thing; he shall not be the poorer for what he gives; he shall not miss it, nor his substance be diminished; he shall not come to poverty and want, yea, he shall be enriched, and his substance increased, for more is intended than is expressed. Jarchi interprets this of a wise man not restraining doctrine from a disciple, but giving it to him liberally; but he that hideth his eyes;
that is, from the poor, as the Targum and Syriac version add; that does not care to see his person, to behold his miseries, or know his case, lest his heart should be moved with compassion, and should draw out anything from him; see ( Isaiah 58:7 ) . Such an one shall have many a curse;
not only from the poor he hardens himself against, but from other persons, who observe his miserable and covetous disposition; and from the Lord himself, who abhors such persons, and curses their very blessings now, and will bid them depart from him as accursed persons hereafter.

Proverbs 28:27 In-Context

25 A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.
26 If you think you know it all, you're a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.
27 Be generous to the poor - you'll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.
28 When corruption takes over, good people go underground, but when the crooks are thrown out, it's safe to come out.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.