He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack (Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 22:9; but shall have many a blessing);
But he that hideth his eyes (from the poor in their distress; cf. Isaiah 58:7) "shall have many a curse" - not only from men, but also from God (Proverbs 21:13). The natural man fears that he will be in want by giving. The reverse is the truth. Alfonso, King of Sicily, when asked what he kept for himself, since he gave away so much-`I keep,' said he, 'what I give; the rest I do not count mine.'