Three major themes of this proverb are given by God for us to reflect upon in devotion.

(1) “Better a poor man whose walk is blameless, than a rich man whose ways are perverse.” What do we treasure? Do we truly treasure the eternal riches of our soul and spirit by placing the highest priority on spending our time and efforts taking up the cross to follow Him? How do we spend God’s money?

(2) “When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.” Bankers, mortgage companies, CEOs, lobbyists, ratings companies, congressmen—where are the ethics and moral obligations to serve the people of our nation? A nation that is founded with the motto “In God We Trust” is now a nation falling into ruin. Let us not hide, but pray, vote conscientiously and purposefully, and take a stand for God’s laws, for as this Proverb states, “evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.”

(3) WISE or FOOLISH: “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.” Selah