Money brings people around you, but when it’s gone, so are they. The Hebrew word for "wealth" here is hōn, meaning not just money but abundance or resources. The verse points out a hard truth: relationships can be transactional, and poverty often leads to social isolation.

This challenges the belief that popularity or friendship is always genuine. The proverb exposes how quickly people can disappear when there’s nothing to gain. It’s a reality check for anyone who thinks their value is tied to what they can offer materially.

If you’ve ever lost friends when your situation changed, this verse validates that painful experience. It encourages looking for relationships built on more than what you have. Real connection isn’t about your bank account—it’s about who stays when you have nothing left to give.