My wife and I were discussing boasters and boasting. We went into our Bibles and discovered the above verses. We have all met boasters. They always “one up"” us. If we say we took a relaxing one week cruise to the Bahamas, they will tell us emphatically that they will be leaving soon for three weeks in Aruba!
Verse 23 selects three specific boasters. First, the rich man. These boasters are kings and queens of conspicuous consumption. They show off their possessions: my house, my car, my furniture, my trophies on the wall, my awards and honors, my recognition, my tenants, my house upstate, my vacation. They believe they are living in splendor and find a continuous need to announce it. Of course, it should be understood that not boasting does not mean that one is not boasting in his or her heart. There are rich people who affect modesty. Rich students I have known made it a point to drive a used or less than elegant car or to “dress down” and avoid finery. Yet, were they inwardly over-impre ...