Proverbs 13:7-9 (ESV)
7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth,
but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
Sometimes, out of a desire to impress others, people live far beyond their means. They purchase expensive clothes, drive luxury cars, remodel homes, and maintain carefully curated appearances to project success and importance. Yet beneath the image often lies debt, emptiness, and insecurity, all rooted in pride and a craving for the approval of others. Jesus rebuked the church in Laodicea with these sobering words: “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17–18). Some appear wealthy in this world yet possess nothing of eternal value.
On the other hand, the wealthy may minimize what they have because they do not want to share it. They fear generosity will cost them personal comfort. So they present themselves as if they have little, carefully guarding their resources from others. This too is dishonesty. Both pretending to be rich and pretending to be poor reveal hearts more concerned with self preservation than truth. Scripture reminds us that earthly wealth is not the truest measure of prosperity. Paul described himself as “poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:10).
A wealthy person may be able to use money to escape danger, pay a ransom, secure protection, or influence outcomes. Those with financial resources often have options others do not. Yet wealth also creates vulnerabilities. The rich may become targets precisely because they possess something worth taking. The poor man, however, “hears no threat.” In some situations, poverty itself becomes a kind of protection. Wealth may provide temporary security, but it can also produce fear and constant anxiety over losing what one has.
Whether rich or poor in this life, the true dividing line is not financial status but righteousness. “The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” The righteous possess a lasting joy, hope, and future because they belong to God. Earthly wealth fades, but eternal riches never perish. The wicked, however, possess only a temporary lamp. For a moment it may appear bright and impressive, but eventually it will be extinguished.
God knows exactly what resources he has entrusted to each of us. There is no need for false fronts. So live truthfully before God and others. Hold your possessions loosely and invest in eternal treasure. Jesus told his followers to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). In the end, the only wealth that truly matters is the kind that can never be taken away.