Proverbs 22:16
Wrong Ways to Increase
1. Oppress: To press upon; to crush; to wrong; exploit; to defraud; to mistreat.
2. Oppression of the poor is as old as the hills.
a. This is the way of the natural man and of societies of the world. It is the way of the jungle.
b. The powerful oppress the weak.
c. That normally translates into the rich trample over the poor.
d. The rich have many tricks up their sleeves to oppress the poor: keeping back their hire, not paying them what they are worth; by usury (exorbitant interest rates) and outright extortion.
e. This is human nature. We are by nature selfish and greedy.
f. The tendency of the rich to oppress the poor that Solomon saw in his day continues in our day as well.
g. Keep in mind that Solomon is writing as a King (a rich and powerful man) for his sons (who will also be rich and powerful men).
3. The PURPOSE of oppression
a. “To increase his riches.”
b. Increase: To multiply; to make big; to become larger; to become abundant.
c. The rich take advantage of the poor.
d. The rich use the poor to cause the rich to grow richer.
e. This is the meaning of the first part of this proverb.
f. It should be noted that the words “his riches” do not appear in the original. The text simply says, “to increase.”
g. Thus, it is much broader than just silver and gold.
h. It could be to increase his power, his social standing, his political position, his military might, his borders, his name and prestige, etc.
i. It could be a combination of all the above.
1. Give: According to the Word Study of the Old Testament, this term is used about 2000 times in the Old Testament. Thus, it has a very broad meaning: to give… to hand over to… etc.
2. Rich: The wealthy, well-to-do persons with significant power and influence socially and politically.
3. Why would someone give to the wealthy man who is in a position of influence and political power?
a. Just watch the six o’clock news! It happens all the time. The city of Chicago is known for its corruption. We have recently had a case there of just this sort of crime: buying political appointments… giving money to the rich.
b. The author is speaking here of bribes to BUY influence and position.
c. Prov. 18:16 – A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
• A bribe will often attract the attention of great and important men. Bribes “open doors” that would otherwise be closed.
• For a mere $700.00 a plate you can go to a dinner with the Clintons (or other political figures) and be introduced to the movers and shakers in your area!
• In that company you might be able to broker a deal (I’ll give you a gift and you look the other way as I continue to oppress the poor!)
• Hush money keeps a lot of people quiet… and looking the other way as oppression and corruption continue.
d. Prov. 17:8 – Bribes work! It’s a fact of life.
e. Prov.17:23 – People give money to the rich in order to buy justice or to buy their way out of a conviction.
• If a shady businessman has been dishonestly overcharging the poor or overworking the poor, a bribe to the right judge or political figure might just take the heat off him and enable him to continue to oppress the poor.
• Perversion of justice is nothing new either. People with money seem to get off the hook for crimes that the average person would be jailed for.
f. Deut. 16:19 – God did not want the Jews to use bribes as a means of buying influence and avoiding justice. It was part of the Law.
g. Isa. 1:23 – Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards. (It was common in Israel and around the world)
1. The previous two phrases in this proverb speak of the two WRONG ways to increase wealth and power.
2. However, they are two very COMMON ways to increase wealth and power.
a. Taking from the poor
b. Giving bribes to the rich.
3. It seems quite contrary to common sense.
a. The rich don’t need “presents,” for they are rich! Yet it is common practice for men seeking to “increase” themselves, do just that—give gifts (bribes) to the wealthy.
b. The poor who DO need gifts are instead oppressed. The wealthy take from them what little they have.
c. The proverb highlights how backwards this is… how contrary to common sense.
d. Common sense would tell us (if we were honest and our hearts were right) that if we were going to give gifts to anyone, it should be the poor who have genuine needs, not the wealthy!
e. The proverb also underscores how dishonest and cruel it is—to make the rich richer by making the poor poorer.
f. And yet as we all know, it happens all the time.
4. If common sense tells us that if we give gifts, it ought to be given to the poor, WHY is it that so often “gifts” are given to the rich?
a. Because of pure greed.
b. If you give a gift to the poor, there’s nothing in it for me, myself, and I!
c. But if you give a “gift” to the rich and powerful, there IS something in it for me. Gifts bring you into important circles and buys favors.
d. Gifts OUGHT to be given in grace—out of selfless love.
e. Solomon knew that, but noted that in the circles he travelled in, it was often the opposite. As Solomon observed human behavior among the upper crust of society, he noted that gifts were given out of self interest, self promotion, selfishness, and greed!
5. The MAIN point of the proverb is this: these two common, greedy, selfish practices may seem to result in an increase (wealth; position; power) in the immediate, but in the long run, it results in poverty (want).
a. This proverb describes two possible approaches to “increase” (wealth).
• Those who use these approaches THINK that it is the way to wealth and increase.
• One man assumes that he will increase by oppressing the poor.
• The other man assumes that he will increase by giving (bribing) the wealthy.
• But in the end, both men come to poverty!
b. This is the essence of the proverb:
• Two actions seem opposite (taking from the poor; giving to the rich).
• They are opposite actions, yet, their purpose is really the same: to increase and get rich.
• They are opposite actions, yet their END is also the same: they both lead to poverty.
c. And as opposite as these actions are, there are some obvious similarities too:
• Both demonstrate no fear of God.
• Both demonstrate no love for one’s brother (neighbor).
• Both are the result of the same motive: self seeking.
• Both are motivated by greed.
• Both meet the same end: poverty.
6. There are several reasons for this conclusion.
a. Prov. 14:31 – Oppressing the poor is reproaching the Maker. One can only reproach God so long before he must deal with the consequences of reproaching God.
b. Ps. 72:4 – God shall break in pieces the oppressor!
• Those who violate Gods’ Law and seek to cover it up by buying influence from wealthy, powerful people will one day discover that it is really a poor trade off.
• If God is against you, buying influence from wealthy men who are but dust isn’t the best plan in the long run.
• Bribes given in secret do not escape the notice of an omniscient God.
• And God is concerned about the poor. He watches over them.
• God is opposed to BOTH of these wrong methods of “increasing.”
• One day—either in this life or the life to come—the wealthy ones who oppress the poor will have to give an account of their actions.
• Ps. 12:5 – For the oppression of the poor… “I will arise!”
c. Jas. 5:1-5 – The wealthy land owners who oppressed their poor workers will one day make some painful discoveries:
• That their gold is cankered and rusted;
• And that the Lord heard of their oppression;
• And that they were really just fattening themselves up for the slaughter! (vs.5)
7. How much better is it to follow the common sense route!
a. If you want to give a gift, give it out of love and grace, selflessly, for the good of those in need—not with strings attached for selfish gain.
b. Many men have learned to regret foolish generosity, (bribes given to the rich).
c. But no one has ever regretted the wise and prayerfully giving to the poor. In the long run, that is far more sensible. And it doesn’t lead to poverty. It results in treasures in heaven.