Proverbs 28:25-28
 
Prov 28:25 (KJB)
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
 
Those who are filled with pride are always placing themselves first in everything. Their pride may lead to covetousness and desire to have what others have and since they are pride filled, they believe that they deserve it. The problem is that this person not only causes problems for himself but causes problems for others. His pride will not allow him to see others first but only his own needs and his trust in only what he can do. His pride will not get him the things he wants and if he does get some of those things, it will not be without strife plus he will always be in a position to lose. The second half of this verse speaks about trusting the Lord and being made fat means that we will not lack for anything that we need. (Psa 23:1 KJV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Those who trust in the Lord can expect to be satisfied whereas the person of pride is never satisfied.
 
Prov 28:26 (KJB)
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
 
Delivered - Escape
 
Proverbs states in many places that the heart of man is evil and filled with iniquity. Those who follow a heart like that are definitely going to get into some type of trouble. This is why this verse states that trust in your own heart shows you are a fool. Man’s thoughts are fickle and there is no true stability in them, so to trust in them is to trust in something unstable. Basically, to trust in one’s heart is to trust in evil as a way of life. The second part of this verse contrasts the wisdom of walking in salvation of the Lord. The verse states that person will be delivered or will escape. If they walk in the ways of the Lord, they will not have to worry about breaking laws on the earth and will not have to worry about being judged on the last day with the unbelievers. They will escape the torments of hell.
 
Prov 28:27 (KJB)
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
 
Here we have a verse which has a double meaning to it. First, those who give to the poor would be helping to alleviate their temporary suffering and bring a little temporal hope to them. Giving to the physical poor does not mean a person is saved because there are many who give to the poor. The saved who give can use this as a testimony of the goodness of the Lord. Secondly, the poor may be those who do not know the Lord and a person gives to send forth the Gospel and see them become saved. (2 Cor 9:9-10 KJV) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. {10} Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Those who give to the Gospel, God will continue to give to them so they can continue to give. He will give seed to the sower. On the other hand, those who hideth their eyes, or in plain speech, those who are cheap will have many curses. Some of them may be the continuation of being cheap, lack of necessities, troubles always present, etc. Now those Christians who are cheap when it comes to giving toward the Gospel will also face many problems in their lives. There is no such thing as cheap Christianity just cheap Christians and they all fall into monetary problems, either they learn to give or God will extract.
 
Prov 28:28 (KJB)
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
 
We have seen in previous verses the relationship between the rulers and a country. When the wicked come to power, many of the people choose to remain anonymous so they will be out of the way and not be accused of false crimes. This is why people choose to hide in these type of situations. When the wicked are out of office, the righteous people once again begin to surface and then they are able to once again work in the land and their righteous ways strengthens a nation because of the honesty in government and honesty in business. Then those Christians who had to create underground churches can once again worship the Lord in the open.

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