Even the closest friend of the poor deserts them....

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

Proverbs 19:4 says;

"Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them."

Just remembered this verse this morning and was reflecting on its truth in my own life.

Would love to hear people's thoughts ,anecdotes or even useful excerpts from bible commentaries people would like to share regarding this portion of scripture.

 

[devin553344]

Proverbs 19:4 says;

"Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them."

Just remembered this verse this morning and was reflecting on its truth in my own life.

Would love to hear people's thoughts ,anecdotes or even useful excerpts from bible commentaries people would like to share regarding this portion of scripture.

I have a best friend. And he hasn't deserted me yet and I'm as poor as poor gets, I barely survive and he pays for meals when we go out. He has kidney problems and is near death all the time. Perhaps that's why he doesn't care I'm poor.

I think a rich person can attract many friends and if they turn poor, all their friends will leave them, and perhaps that's what the verse is referring to. Fair weather friends?

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

I have a best friend. And he hasn't deserted me yet and I'm as poor as poor gets, I barely survive and he pays for meals when we go out. He has kidney problems and is near death all the time. Perhaps that's why he doesn't care I'm poor.

I think a rich person can attract many friends and if they turn poor, all their friends will leave them, and perhaps that's what the verse is referring to. Fair weather friends?

Yes ,the scripture is referring to fair weather friends.
You are blessed to have a good friend who loves and respects you regardless of your circumstances.

Also,I think what is deemed to be wealth can be more than mere monetary value - it can also be things like wit,charm,intellence,beauty,generosity,humour or a combination of these and more.
When prospective friends have none of the above ,it is often an act of charity to befriend them - something the world knows little of.
Just a thought.

 

[Pethesedzao]

Proverbs 19:4 says;

"Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them."

Just remembered this verse this morning and was reflecting on its truth in my own life.

Would love to hear people's thoughts ,anecdotes or even useful excerpts from bible commentaries people would like to share regarding this portion of scripture.

The reason why wealth attracts many is because of the love of money which is the root of all evil.

 

[StarryEyedShoeGazer]

The reason why wealth attracts many is because of the love of money which is the root of all evil.

Yes - and Christians are not immune to loving filthy lucre.

 

[Pethesedzao]

Yes - and Christians are not immune to loving filthy lucre.

No one is immune; that's why we need to meditate in God's word every second of our natural state.

 

[Pethesedzao]

Yes - and Christians are not immune to loving filthy lucre.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured

 

[Messerve]

I have a best friend. And he hasn't deserted me yet and I'm as poor as poor gets, I barely survive and he pays for meals when we go out. He has kidney problems and is near death all the time. Perhaps that's why he doesn't care I'm poor.

I think a rich person can attract many friends and if they turn poor, all their friends will leave them, and perhaps that's what the verse is referring to. Fair weather friends?

That's a real friend - who willingly takes up your burdens and carries them for you. I have a friend like that, too, and it's made me realize an important truth. I value this one man's friendship so much, but Jesus did even more than that! He not only took on our burdens, but He let His own life be taken for our sake!

Did you ever realize the poignancy in the verse "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends"? Jesus was most assuredly referring to himself as that friend who would lay down his life for his friends.

In the previous verse, He tells them to love each other as He loved them, and in the following verse he immediately refers to them as "my friends".

Jesus, therefore, is the model of a perfect friend.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Agree with the OP/scripture.

And how good a so-called friends were those people to begin with?

 

[ilovejcsog]

Fair weather friends are among the poor and the rich. In everyones lives.

 

[bèlla]

The wealthy have people who seek their company because of their riches and what the person can receive in return. There’s usually an agenda. Discernment is a must.