◄ Proverbs 28:11 ►
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
Study Bible
A rich man is wise in his own eyes
This phrase highlights the common biblical theme of pride and self-reliance associated with wealth. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wealth was often seen as a sign of divine favor, leading the rich to believe in their own wisdom and understanding. This self-perception can lead to arrogance, as seen in other scriptures like Proverbs 3:7, which warns against being wise in one's own eyes. The Bible frequently cautions against the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22) and the false security they provide (1 Timothy 6:17). The rich man's self-assessment is contrasted with God's perspective, which values humility and dependence on Him (James 4:6).

but a poor man with discernment sees through him
The poor man, despite his lack of material wealth, possesses discernment, a valued trait in biblical wisdom literature. Discernment is the ability to judge well and is often associated with spiritual insight and understanding (1 Kings 3:9). This phrase suggests that true wisdom is not dependent on wealth but on one's relationship with God and the ability to see beyond outward appearances. The poor man's discernment allows him to see the reality of the rich man's situation, echoing Jesus' teachings in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3), where the poor in spirit are blessed. This insight aligns with the biblical principle that God often chooses the lowly and despised to shame the wise and strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rich Man
Represents individuals who possess wealth and often perceive themselves as wise due to their material success.

2. Poor Man
Symbolizes those who may lack material wealth but possess discernment and insight.

3. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding of human nature.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which the Proverbs were written, where wealth and wisdom were often discussed.

5. Wisdom Literature
A genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical and moral teachings.
Teaching Points
True Wisdom vs. Self-Perceived Wisdom
True wisdom is not measured by wealth but by discernment and understanding.

Self-perceived wisdom can lead to pride and blindness to one's own faults.

The Value of Discernment
Discernment allows individuals to see beyond superficial appearances and recognize true character.

Spiritual insight is a gift that surpasses material wealth.

Humility and Openness to Correction
Wealth can lead to a false sense of security and self-sufficiency.

Humility opens the heart to correction and growth in wisdom.

God’s Perspective on Wealth and Wisdom
God values the heart and character over material possessions.

Spiritual richness is prioritized in God’s kingdom.

Practical Living and Relationships
Evaluate relationships and decisions based on discernment rather than material gain.

Seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to those who ask.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the perception of wisdom differ between the rich man and the poor man in Proverbs 28:11?

2. In what ways can wealth lead to a false sense of wisdom, and how can we guard against this in our own lives?

3. How does the concept of discernment in Proverbs 28:11 relate to the teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes?

4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate discernment and humility in our daily lives?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Proverbs 28:11 to our understanding of true success and fulfillment according to biblical principles?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 2:5
This verse highlights God's choice of the poor to be rich in faith, contrasting worldly wealth with spiritual richness.

1 Samuel 16:7
God’s perspective on looking at the heart rather than outward appearances, similar to the discernment of the poor man.

Luke 16:19-31
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, illustrating the eternal consequences of earthly attitudes towards wealth and wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Paul speaks about God choosing the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise, aligning with the theme of true discernment.

Matthew 5:3
The Beatitudes, where Jesus blesses the poor in spirit, emphasizing spiritual insight over material wealth.
Sermons
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
The Moral Quality of LifeE. Johnson Proverbs 28:6-12
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Conceit, Discernment, Intelligent, Low, Opinion, Poor, Rich, Searcheth, Seems, Sees, Sense, Understanding, Wealth, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:11

     5481   proverb
     5503   rich, the
     8227   discernment, nature of
     8366   wisdom, source of
     8810   riches, dangers

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Proverbs 28:11 NIV
Proverbs 28:11 NLT
Proverbs 28:11 ESV
Proverbs 28:11 NASB
Proverbs 28:11 KJV

Proverbs 28:11 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Proverbs 28:10
Top of Page
Top of Page