Meet God in Scripture

Meet God in Proverbs 14:21

“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”

Proverbs 14:21 (KJV)

Six ways to encounter God here

A passage is not only to be understood; it is to be lived with. Choose how you want to meet God in Proverbs 14:21, and Living Bread opens it right there.

Read itSit with the words themselves in The Word.Study itContext, cross-references, and questions in Bible Study.Be still in itLet it quiet you in the Sanctuary.Pray itTurn it into a prayer of your own.Hide it in your heartMemorize it, word by word.Encounter it togetherGather a few people to walk through it.

The passage in its setting

Meeting God in a verse begins with hearing it where it lives, in the flow of Proverbs 14. Read it slowly, and let the focal verse settle into its own context.

19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

The web of Scripture around it

Where this passage echoes across the Bible, from the cross-reference graph, 14 connected Scriptures. Each one is a door to meet God there too.

  • Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
  • Proverbs 28:27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
  • Proverbs 11:12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
  • Proverbs 17:5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
  • 1 John 3:17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
  • Proverbs 18:3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
  • Proverbs 14:31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
  • Job 35:5Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
  • Psalms 41:1Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
  • Proverbs 11:24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
  • Psalms 22:24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
  • Daniel 4:27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranq…
  • James 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
  • Hebrews 6:12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

More to meet God in Proverbs

Proverbs 3:5Proverbs 22:6Proverbs 18:10Proverbs 4:23Proverbs 17:22Proverbs 3:6Proverbs 15:1Proverbs 19:21Proverbs 11:25Proverbs 16:3Proverbs 16:9Proverbs 29:25Proverbs 29:1Proverbs 28:4

How it points to Christ

Every Scripture ultimately leads to Jesus. See how the whole Bible points to Him in Christ in all Scripture, then meet Him for yourself.