Never belittle others, for God sees and judges every motive of the heart.
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished (v.5). This proverb declares that any contempt shown toward those in need ultimately reflects contempt toward God Himself, our Creator. In the biblical worldview, God lovingly crafts each person in His image, which means to scoff at someone’s misfortune is a direct offense against the One who made them. The heart of this verse speaks to an attitude of arrogance or superiority over the less fortunate, an attitude the Lord abhors. Other passages similarly warn about the sin of pride, reminding us that “the Lord will tear down the house of the proud” (Proverbs 15:25).
Solomon also states that rejoicing at the downfall or catastrophe of others “will not go unpunished.” This sober reality teaches that God judges those who rejoice in evil or harm. True wisdom is found in extending mercy and compassion rather than exalting oneself over another person’s losses. Mocking and gloating over hardship reveals a distortion of God’s design for human community, which calls us to love our neighbors and build them up, not tear them down. Indeed, Scripture throughout warns that arrogance leads to destruction, since pride separates us from God and from the humility necessary to align with His ways.
Jesus modeled precisely the opposite attitude by living with compassion for the downtrodden (Matthew 9:36). In His teaching, He elevated the poor in spirit and welcomed those who recognized their need for mercy (Matthew 5:3). Following Christ’s example means treating others, especially the vulnerable, with humble kindness and empathy, reflecting reverence for God’s image woven into each person’s life.
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Proverbs 17:5 meaning
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished (v.5). This proverb declares that any contempt shown toward those in need ultimately reflects contempt toward God Himself, our Creator. In the biblical worldview, God lovingly crafts each person in His image, which means to scoff at someone’s misfortune is a direct offense against the One who made them. The heart of this verse speaks to an attitude of arrogance or superiority over the less fortunate, an attitude the Lord abhors. Other passages similarly warn about the sin of pride, reminding us that “the Lord will tear down the house of the proud” (Proverbs 15:25).
Solomon also states that rejoicing at the downfall or catastrophe of others “will not go unpunished.” This sober reality teaches that God judges those who rejoice in evil or harm. True wisdom is found in extending mercy and compassion rather than exalting oneself over another person’s losses. Mocking and gloating over hardship reveals a distortion of God’s design for human community, which calls us to love our neighbors and build them up, not tear them down. Indeed, Scripture throughout warns that arrogance leads to destruction, since pride separates us from God and from the humility necessary to align with His ways.
Jesus modeled precisely the opposite attitude by living with compassion for the downtrodden (Matthew 9:36). In His teaching, He elevated the poor in spirit and welcomed those who recognized their need for mercy (Matthew 5:3). Following Christ’s example means treating others, especially the vulnerable, with humble kindness and empathy, reflecting reverence for God’s image woven into each person’s life.