“The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor does not hear rebuke” (Proverbs 13:8).
Though I cannot state with absolute confidence what Solomon’s intended point(s) was (were) with this proverb, the following truths about wealth correspond with it.
While wealth may create protection from some troubles (like hunger and poverty), it also generates its own unique woes (see 1Tim. 6:9-10). The theft of your property or family increases as your wealth increases. People living in poverty rarely ever receive ransom demands. Not so with the wealthy. It is a lie that wealth insulates you from all of life’s possible woes and has no dark side of its own.
Many people exchange all of their time and energy in the pursuit of riches. They ransom these precious things for material wealth, only to learn too late that they paid a high price for a cheap item. “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).
Being poor is not the same as being virtuous. In far too many instances, poverty is the outcome of foolish behavior, a lack of diligent labor, very unwise financial decisions, and/or a refusal to heed instruction or rebuke which would improve your character and habits. Your plight is pitiful, because you have hardheadedly pursued foolishness and been wildly successful.
Having wealth is not a bad thing, What one does with it is the determining factor !