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Proverbs 19 · a question people ask

"He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD" (19:17). Is that a promise that giving pays?

In the text

The saying names three things: who is shown pity, "the poor"; who is lent to, "the LORD"; and who repays: "he will reward him" (19:17) (tap has pity, lends). It doesn't say what the reward is, or when it comes, and these notes don't say either. Lends is lavah, which Proverbs has only here and twice in "The borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7). The notes on Proverbs 14 look at the sayings that join the poor to their Maker (Proverbs 14:31, 22:2), and the notes on Proverbs 11 ask a question like this one of "There is one who scatters, and increases yet more" (Proverbs 11:24). A psalm has 19:17's two Hebrew verbs together: "It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends" (Psalm 112:5). 19:17 is a saying. These notes quote it as it stands, don't make it a promise of money or any other gain, and don't apply it to anyone's giving or money today.

The verses

“He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.”
Proverbs 19:17 · World English Bible
“The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.”
Proverbs 22:7 · World English Bible
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.”
Proverbs 14:31 · World English Bible
“The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.”
Proverbs 22:2 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19: Many plans, one counsel

Counsel in "Listen to counsel" (19:20) and in "the LORD’s counsel will prevail" (19:21) is one Hebrew word, in two sayings side by side. And "It is his glory to overlook an offense" (19:11) has the three Hebrew words Micah uses of God, who "passes over the disobedience" (Micah 7:18).

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Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions