This is another of those “better…than” wise sayings. It discusses two opposite characters (“the poor” and “the rich”) and offers an interesting contrast between them.
The first line is not just about “the poor” – but “the poor whose walk is blameless.” While having little of this world’s goods, the lifestyle of these men and women is positive, helpful and supportive of others. Not perfect, they’re good people.
The second line speaks of “the rich whose ways are perverse.” Their MO (modus operandi) is morally twisted, crooked, distorted and warped – hardly something they’d want to put on a resume, but that’s who they are.
While it might seem hard to believe that being “poor” is better than being “rich”…it might not surprise us that being “blameless” is better than being “perverse.”
So, for me, this verse is a reminder that stuff – whether I’m rich or poor – is not really what’s important. What really matters is character.
My character helps me make better decisions – that’s good.
My good decisions are a reason others would help and support me – that’s even “better.”
God (who’s not even mentioned) honors this character and these choices – and that’s best of all!