The Wise in Conceit Rich Man - Proverbs 28:11

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse eleven of Proverbs Solomon said, “the rich man is wise in his own conceit” where we read,

The rich man is wise in his own conceit;

but the poor that has understanding searches him out.

The verse begins, “The rich man is wise in his own conceit;” Solomon began with the words, “the rich man” or “the wealthy and noble person whether male or female” “is wise” which means “exists as skilled, shrewd and prudent” “in his own conceit” or “within his, the rich person's, own personal eye or mental and spiritual faculties and countenance”. Solomon said the person who is wealthy exists as shrewd and prudent within their own eyes.

The verse continues, “but the poor that has understanding searches him out.” Solomon added the words, “but the poor”or “however, notwithstanding, nonetheless and moreover the person who is in want, need, impoverished and destitute” “that has understanding” which means “who holds, owns and possesses discernment, knowledge, insight and diligence” “searches him out” or “examines and investigates the rich man wise in his own conceit”. Solomon said the impoverished person who possesses discernment sees right through the “rich” person. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how people who are wealthy and noble sometimes become “conceited” or filled with themselves, however, a person who does not have many belongings but is shrewd and prudent is able to see who they really are. God loves people, and He knows us all. He proved His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the ability to keep from thinking too much of ourselves and the discernment to know the people who do. 

Next time Solomon says, “when righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".