Classic KJV - Proverbs 29:14

Usually the poor are ignored by those with power and authority. They are vulnerable to abuse since they can’t afford military or legal aid. It’s counter intuitive, but it’s amazing that the poor are most significant. According to the text, treatment of the poor can strengthen or destroy those who are great and powerful—even the king. There is a power higher than both the poor and the king. That higher power is God himself, who, despite having absolute sovereignty, identifies with the poor since he has their same humble attitude.

Translation: Poor

The Hebrew word for poor in this verse, דּל (dāl, pronounced “dahl”), is sometimes used to mean financially poor, but it’s also used to mean socially poor—“humble”—as in low social status. When dāl is used in Exodus 23:3, it appears in the context of interpersonal justice. Refer to Proverbs 28:3 and 21:13 for a fuller understanding of this important social class. You can also see the subtle differences in the meaning of the various Hebrew words translated in English simply as “poor.”

Justice - Not Just Charity

The text doesn’t say that the poor need a handout—they need truth . The word truth is sometimes translated as faithfulness. Good social policies call for just and fair treatment of all people, regardless of their wealth. But why not merely show compassion and give generously to the poor, since they are in need? Simply because a handout can rob the recipient of personal dignity and self-respect. A “hand-up” is often worth more than a handout. Treating the poor with truth implies allowing the working poor to have the full benefits of their labour, paying low or zero income taxes. A stable government with motivate its citizens to work with the carrot, not the stick. It will be the whole carrot, not an after-tax remnant. More about fair taxation at wise taxation.

Poverty as a Trainer

Sometimes God uses poverty as a school to train us in valuable life skills including diligence, respect for authority, proper planning, punctuality, and honesty. Well-meaning but unwise, misguided government welfare programs can ruin these lessons by letting the poor “off the hook” too easily. Prolonged government aid which is not combined with personal effort indirectly encourages people to be lazy and plead helplessness to justify inaction.

Good Government

Good government develops a business environment of consistent commercial standards. It’s an excellent way to benefit the poor. Any government that fosters operating conditions for good, honest business will survive. According to the text, cruel, corrupt governments don’t last long.

The text doesn’t say that the king will live forever, but that “his throne will be established forever.” No human government has lasted forever. Some empires including Chinese dynasties have lasted for centuries but to date all kingdoms including the Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, Roman and British have collapsed. Some last longer than others. According to the text their stability is directly related to the justice they grant to their lowest class.

The Bible speaks of a kingdom that will put an end to all other kingdoms and "endure forever." (Daniel 2:44). I find it interesting that this kingdom, which refers to the kingdom of Jesus Christ, has the King Himself identifying with the "least" of His citizens. Amazing. The greatest of all kings takes intense care, of the least in His kingdom (Matthew 25:45)

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Jesus claimed to have been given “all authority in heaven and on earth,” (Matthew 28:18) thereby implying that His kingdom is all-encompassing and permanent.

This fulfills an ancient prophesy predicting that, in the days of the Roman Empire, God would set up a kingdom that would endure forever (Daniel 2:44).

The Roman civil authorities tried to destroy faith in Jesus Christ yet His followers have increased steadily and outlasted all human governments.