Proverbs 19:17

17 He that hath mercy on a poor man, lendeth to the Lord (He who hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord); and he shall yield his while to him.

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 Sloth bringeth in sleep; and a negligent soul shall have hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment of God, keepeth his soul; but he that chargeth not his way, shall be slain. (He who keepeth God's commandments, keepeth his life safe; but he who despiseth the Lord's way, shall die.)

17 He that hath mercy on a poor man, lendeth to the Lord (He who hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord); and he shall yield his while to him.

18 Teach thy son, and despair thou not; but set thou not thy soul to the slaying of him (but do not thou beat him).

19 Forsooth he that is unpatient, shall suffer harm; and when he hath ravished (one thing), he shall lay to another thing. (He who is ill-tempered, shall suffer harm; thou shalt help him once, and then thou shalt need to help him again, and again.)