Proverbs 23:7 - for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
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What does "Proverbs 23:7" mean?
Proverbs 23:7 is a proverb about the deceptive nature of a stingy or miserly person. It's saying that a person's true character is revealed not by their words, but by their internal thoughts and motivations, especially when it comes to money and generosity. Let's break it down:
"For as he thinks about the cost, so he is." This is the key to understanding the verse. It highlights the importance of inner thoughts. A person is defined by what they truly value and how they really think about things, especially when it comes to money. If someone is constantly worried about the cost, even in a seemingly generous situation, that stinginess defines them. Their underlying obsession with cost reveals their true character. The word "cost" can also imply the effort, energy, or resources the person believes they will have to expend.
"Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." This illustrates the hypocrisy. The person verbally offers hospitality ("Eat and drink!"). However, their internal thoughts, indicated in the first part of the verse, reveal a different story. Their heart is not truly generous or concerned with the well-being of the guest. They might be offering hospitality out of obligation, social pressure, or some ulterior motive, but they are not genuinely happy to share their resources. Their thoughts are likely consumed by calculating the cost and regretting the expenditure.
In essence, the proverb warns against being fooled by appearances. Someone might seem generous on the surface, but their true character is revealed by their underlying stinginess and self-centeredness.
Key takeaways:
True character is defined by inner thoughts and motivations, not just outward actions.
Actions without a genuine heart are hollow and insincere.
Be wary of those who seem generous but are always thinking about the cost.
The proverb encourages genuine generosity and a generous heart.
The proverb highlights the disconnect between words and genuine feelings. A person can say generous things, but if their heart is not in it, the generosity is empty and ultimately deceptive. It serves as a caution about discerning true character.
Proverbs 23:7 - for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
What does "Proverbs 23:7" mean?
Proverbs 23:7 is a proverb about the deceptive nature of a stingy or miserly person. It's saying that a person's true character is revealed not by their words, but by their internal thoughts and motivations, especially when it comes to money and generosity. Let's break it down:
"For as he thinks about the cost, so he is." This is the key to understanding the verse. It highlights the importance of inner thoughts. A person is defined by what they truly value and how they really think about things, especially when it comes to money. If someone is constantly worried about the cost, even in a seemingly generous situation, that stinginess defines them. Their underlying obsession with cost reveals their true character. The word "cost" can also imply the effort, energy, or resources the person believes they will have to expend.
"Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." This illustrates the hypocrisy. The person verbally offers hospitality ("Eat and drink!"). However, their internal thoughts, indicated in the first part of the verse, reveal a different story. Their heart is not truly generous or concerned with the well-being of the guest. They might be offering hospitality out of obligation, social pressure, or some ulterior motive, but they are not genuinely happy to share their resources. Their thoughts are likely consumed by calculating the cost and regretting the expenditure.
In essence, the proverb warns against being fooled by appearances. Someone might seem generous on the surface, but their true character is revealed by their underlying stinginess and self-centeredness.
Key takeaways:
True character is defined by inner thoughts and motivations, not just outward actions.
Actions without a genuine heart are hollow and insincere.
Be wary of those who seem generous but are always thinking about the cost.
The proverb encourages genuine generosity and a generous heart.
The proverb highlights the disconnect between words and genuine feelings. A person can say generous things, but if their heart is not in it, the generosity is empty and ultimately deceptive. It serves as a caution about discerning true character.