◄ Proverbs 28:27 ►
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
Study Bible
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need
This phrase emphasizes the biblical principle of generosity and its rewards. Throughout Scripture, giving to the poor is seen as a righteous act that aligns with God's heart for justice and mercy. In the Old Testament, the Law provided for the poor through gleaning laws (Leviticus 19:9-10) and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). The promise that the giver "will not be in need" reflects the principle of sowing and reaping found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, where Paul teaches that God loves a cheerful giver and will provide for those who give generously. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in Luke 6:38, where He promises that those who give will receive in abundance. The act of giving is not only a physical provision but also a spiritual investment, reflecting the character of Christ, who gave Himself for humanity.

but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses
This part of the verse warns against ignoring the needs of the poor. "Hides his eyes" suggests a deliberate choice to avoid seeing or acknowledging the plight of the needy. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, community and kinship were vital, and neglecting the poor was seen as a breach of social and religious duty. The "many curses" can be understood as the natural and divine consequences of such neglect. In Deuteronomy 27:19, a curse is pronounced on those who pervert justice for the vulnerable, including the poor. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where James 2:15-17 warns against faith without works, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated through action, particularly in caring for those in need. The call to care for the poor is a reflection of God's justice and mercy, and neglecting this duty invites divine disfavor.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Giver
This person is characterized by generosity and compassion, actively choosing to help those in need.

2. The Poor
Individuals who are in need or lack resources, representing those whom God calls us to support.

3. The One Who Hides His Eyes
A person who deliberately ignores the needs of others, choosing self-interest over compassion.

4. The Act of Giving
A significant event that reflects the heart and character of the giver, aligning with God's call to care for the needy.

5. The Consequence of Ignoring
The negative outcome or "many curses" that befall those who choose to ignore the needs of the poor.
Teaching Points
The Blessing of Generosity
Giving to the poor is not just a moral duty but a pathway to experiencing God's provision and blessing in our lives.

The Danger of Indifference
Ignoring the needs of others leads to spiritual and possibly material consequences, as it reflects a heart not aligned with God's compassion.

Reflecting God's Heart
Our actions towards the poor should mirror God's love and care, demonstrating our faith in tangible ways.

Stewardship and Responsibility
We are called to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us, using them to bless others and advance His kingdom.

Eternal Perspective
Our treatment of the poor has eternal implications, as it reflects our relationship with God and our understanding of His commands.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Proverbs 28:27 challenge your current perspective on giving and generosity?

2. In what ways can you actively "give to the poor" in your community or church?

3. Reflect on a time when you "hid your eyes" from someone in need. What were the consequences, and how can you respond differently in the future?

4. How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 influence your understanding of Proverbs 28:27?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your faith is demonstrated through actions, as encouraged in James 2:14-17?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
This passage emphasizes the importance of open-handed generosity towards the poor, reinforcing the principle found in Proverbs 28:27.

Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus' teaching on the sheep and the goats highlights the eternal significance of caring for those in need, connecting to the blessings and curses mentioned in Proverbs.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Paul speaks about the blessings of cheerful giving, which aligns with the promise of not lacking when one gives to the poor.

James 2:14-17
James discusses faith in action, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated through deeds, such as helping those in need.
Sermons
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
The Life that Breeds Perpetual BenedictionE. Johnson Proverbs 28:27, 28
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Attention, Closes, Curse, Curses, Gives, Giveth, Giving, Hides, Hideth, Hiding, Lack, Multiplied, Nothing, Poor, Receives, Shuts, Withdraweth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:27

     5134   blindness, natural
     5149   eyes
     5230   beggars
     5404   masters
     5414   money, stewardship
     5448   poverty, attitudes to
     5856   extravagance
     8436   giving, of possessions
     8791   oppression, nature of

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

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