“A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers” (Proverbs 17:8).
In many societies, graft and corruption in government and business are the norm. Paper-pushing civil officials move at the speed equivalent to the amount of the bribe they have received. When someone is willing to show him the money, he can increase his work productivity.
A person with money and a willingness to “gift” it to those of little character will always be thought of as “influential” and “successful” in our world. To them, everyone and everything has a price tag.
This proverb was not written for the purpose of approving the mindset and behavior described therein. Rather, it is a brutally honest and accurate look at the “real world”. Many a person deemed “successful” by the world has cut corners which God calls “sinful”. So often, “what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).
A man who can be bought is selling nothing worth buying.
