Proverbs 17:5-6

verse 5: “He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.”

In this modern age, we get a lot of news and sports information from online news sources. In addition, the publisher of those news stories invites the reader to register (usually for free) and post a comment on the story. It seems that there are 3 types of “posters”: the one who is leaving a comment having nothing to do with the story, but looking for free “advertising”; the intelligent poster who is giving a well-thought out response to the article (whether you agree with their opinion or not); and the poster who gives the less-than-thought-out response. It is the last of these groups who seem to take delight in a person’s misfortunes, more than often.

Solomon is warning us in this verse, that God will judge those who mock the poor. The Holman Concordance on Proverbs (pg. 173) says it another way in that “when you mock the poor, you mock their Maker”. After all, we are all made in God’s image…and God will not be mocked.

So before you make fun of someone else’s misfortunes, take a minute and think about it. To quote a familiar phrase, WWJD: what would Jesus do?

Have a blessed day!