Interpretation of Proverbs 19:24 on Wealth and Friends
Proverbs 19:4 states, "Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend" [1]. This proverb highlights a common observation about human nature and social dynamics related to economic status. It is not a prescriptive statement about how things should be, but rather a descriptive one about how they often are in the world [8].
The verse suggests that financial prosperity tends to attract a larger circle of acquaintances, who may be drawn by the potential benefits or opportunities that wealth can provide [5, 6]. These "friends" may flatter the wealthy individual, but their affection is often directed more towards the person's possessions or what they can gain, rather than genuine care for the individual themselves [5]. John Gill notes that wealth "increases the number" of friends, echoing a sentiment found in ancient poetry: "as long as you are fortunate, you will count many friends" [6].
Conversely, the proverb observes that poverty often leads to isolation. The poor person may find themselves estranged from even their neighbors or those who once claimed friendship [8]. This separation can occur because former associates may no longer visit, or they may distance themselves from the poor individual's company [6]. Matthew Henry describes these as "swallow-friends, that are gone in winter," emphasizing the conditional nature of such relationships [8].
This proverb is part of a larger theme in the book of Proverbs and other biblical texts that cautions against placing ultimate trust in worldly riches. Riches are described elsewhere as temporary, uncertain, unsatisfying, and fleeting [3]. The lure of wealth can be deceptive and can divert individuals from faithful obedience [7]. While wealth can grant worldly power [3], the Bible frequently contrasts the superficiality of such relationships with the steadfastness of God's friendship [8]. The passage underscores the vanity of human relationships built on material gain rather than genuine connection [2, 4].
Sources
- Proverbs “Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend. -- Proverbs 19:4”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Vanity — A consequence of the fall -- Ro 8:20. Every man is -- Ps 39:11. Every state of man is -- Ps 62:9. Man at his best estate is -- Ps 39:5. Man is like to -- Ps 144:4. The thoughts of man are -- Ps 94:11. The days of man are -- Job 7:16; Ec 6:12. Childhood and youth are -- Ec 11:10. The beauty of man is -- Ps 39:11; Pr 31:30. The help of man in -- Ps 60:11; La 4:17. Man's own righteousness is -- Isa 57:12. Worldly wisdom is -- Ec 2:15,21; 1Co 3:20. Worldly pleasure is -- Ec 2:1. Worldly anxiety -- Ps 39:6; 127:2. Worldly labour is -- Ec 2:11; 4:4. Worldly enjoym”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Riches — The true riches -- Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7. God gives -- 1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19. To God belongs this world's riches -- Hag 2:8. God gives power to obtain -- De 8:18. The blessing of the Lord brings -- Pr 10:22. Give worldly power -- Pr 22:7. Described as Temporary. -- Pr 27:24. Uncertain. -- 1Ti 6:17. Unsatisfying. -- Ec 4:8; 5:10. Corruptible. -- Jas 5:2; 1Pe 1:18. Fleeting. -- Pr 23:5; Re 18:16,17. Deceitful. -- Mt 13:22. Liable to be stolen. -- Mt 6:19. Perishable. -- Jer 48:36. Thick clay. -- Hab 2:6. Often an obstruction to the reception of the go”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of the Wicked, The — Is limited to this life -- Ps 17:14; Lu 16:25. Is short -- Job 20:5. Is uncertain -- Lu 12:20; Jas 4:13,14. Is vain -- Ec 2:1; 7:6. Is derived from Their wealth. -- Job 21:13; Ps 52:7. Their power. -- Job 21:7; Ps 37:35. Their worldly prosperity. -- Ps 17:14; 73:3,4,7. Popular applause. -- Ac 12:22. Gluttony. -- Isa 22:13; Hab 1:16. Drunkenness. -- Isa 5:11; 56:12. Vain pleasure. -- Job 21:12; Isa 5:12. Successful oppression. -- Hab 1:15; Jas 5:6. Marred by jealousy -- Es 5:13. Often interrupted by judgments -- Nu 11:33; Job 15:21; Ps 7”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 19:4: Here, 1. We may see how strong men's love of money is, that they will love any man, how undeserving soever he be otherwise, if he has but a deal of money and is free with it, so that they may hope to be the better for it. Wealth enables a man to send many presents, make many entertainments, and do many good offices, and so gains him many friends, who pretend to love him, for they flatter him and make their court to him, but really love what he has, or rather love themselves, hoping to get by him. 2. We may see how weak men's love of one another is. He who, while”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:4: Wealth maketh many friends,.... Or "adds" (f); it increases the number of them: so the poet (g), "donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos"; and to this agrees what the wise man says, Pro 14:20; but the poor is separated from his neighbour; or "friend" (h); he will not visit him as he did in his prosperity, nor suffer him to come into his house or company, or come near him; he is separated from his affection, friendship, and presence: so another poet (i), "if thou art rich, thou wilt have many friends; but, if poor, few.'' (f) "addit", Junius & Tremellius, Pi”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:22: 13:22 Jesus spoke of competing demands in life, (see also 8:18-22). The worries of this life can become so great that they divert one from the path of faithful obedience (see 6:19-34). The lure of wealth, particularly in its ability to deceive, appears often in Matthew (e.g., 4:8-10; 6:24; 13:44-45). God does not desire that his people have wealth as much as that they have faith, obey him, and willingly help those in need (e.g., 19:21; 25:31-46).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:20: This shows, not what should be, but what is the common way of the world - to be shy of the poor and fond of the rich. 1. Few will give countenance to those whom the world frowns upon, though otherwise worthy of respect: The poor, who should be pitied, and encouraged, and relieved, is hated, looked strange upon, and kept at a distance, even by his own neighbour, who, before he fell into disgrace, was intimate with him and pretended to have a kindness for him. Most are swallow-friends, that are gone in winter. It is good having God our friend, for he will not des”