Proverbial Piety

Published in The Compass, July 15, 2009, vol. 4, issue 11

            This new feature of the Compass will offer some brief reflections on the spiritual life, taking as it’s parting point, each time, some verse in the scriptures, especially from the book of Proverbs. The translations are my own, from the Greek Septuagint; you may find some differences with the English Bible you use at home, and this is the reason why.

            10:4 Poverty humbles man, 
            but the hands of virtue enrich.

            One can be poor or rich, materially or spiritually. Whether one is poor or rich materially does not matter, necessarily, as regards the state of his soul or the eternal judgment which will await him. This is so, because one cannot control, even if he may try to influence, the affluence he enjoys.

            It’s much different with spiritual richness or poverty. This is a treasure trove which depends upon one’s free choice. The treasure chest is carried in his mind or heart, an no thief can there destroy.

            Material poverty makes man humble because it is often humiliating. Common to our experience is to show deference to famous and wealthy people, and to ignore or treat badly the poor, as if they counted for nothing. This is a perennial temptation of all men of all ages.

            Spiritual poverty is worse, because it reduces a man to the shame of sin; this is not humiliation before superficial men, but before angels who stand before God’s throne. Spiritual poverty consists in sin, especially when the sin is a vice (that is, habitual).

            Material wealth can be obtained, if circumstances collaborate, even by those who start out as poor. But they cannot achieve wealth, normally, without the labor and discipline of virtue, persevering in the dull task and wisdom in making decisions.

            The source of spiritual wealth has no limit, and as many can get as much of it as they want. But it is always, and without any exception, obtained by hard work, works which are good, especially when the good deeds are a virtue (that is, habitual).

            The next time, then, you consider your wealth or your poverty, remember the Lord’s words, “Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys” (Lk 12:33). Here Jesus shows us the New Testament interpretation of the Old Testament Proverb; and this is what we can call Proverbial Piety.