10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is [f]safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But humility goes before honor.
13 He who gives an answer before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 The [g]mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him
And brings him before great men.
If you have money, it can be really tempting to put your hope and trust in that, as Solomon notes in v. 11. But that’s an imaginary “high wall” with no substance. If you don’t have money, your mind may work the same way, you are putting your hope in the idea that if you only have more money, then you’ll be: fill in the blank, happy, safe, secure, peaceful, etc.
Solomon had every reason to think the same way, as he had incredible wealth. But instead of finding his security there, he found it in God (v. 10). An unfortunate side effect of putting our hope in material things is the pride we feel when we think “we’ve arrived”. When we’ve gotten to a place where it feels stable, we look around and see all the poor saps who don’t have it together half so well as we do.
If you ever feel that way, watch out. As Solomon notes in v. 12, pride is a dangerous feeling, and its also not one that people appreciate very much. It makes you obnoxious, along with plenty of other nasty side effects. You do silly things like try to answer a question before someone is done asking. Or maybe you try to show off how well you are doing, only to fall flat on your face in front of those who are actually “great” (v. 16).
Rather, God values humility, and will honor it, and so will your fellow man. Not that nasty self-deprecating fake stuff, we’re talking real humility without a hint of being puffed up. Because you know who your strong tower is, and you seek God’s knowledge, and His wisdom (v. 15), and you know that none of what you have is your own doing. It’s all a gift from God, to be used for His glory, and not your own.
Whether you’re rich, poor, or anywhere in between, there’s only one sure thing: “the name of the Lord is a strong tower.” Run, don’t walk, and make Him your refuge, now, tomorrow, and every day.