The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke (Proverbs 13:8, NKJV). This is a peculiar proverb, especially in light of the previous verse (“There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches”). The point, however, is not as far from the sentiment of the previous verse as one might initially think. Some have interpreted this proverb to pertain to a discerning spiritual man who uses his money well; he is able to redeem himself in (and from) particular difficulties. While this may be true, I think the greater point is this: the wealth of a person puts him (or her) into precarious circumstance where money needs to be used to redeem, such as in kidnapping. On the other hand, the one who does not put any emphasis on money, thus not having that kind of wealth, is not susceptible to same thing.