John Gill Commentary Proverbs 22:16

"He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [gain], [And] he that giveth to the rich, [shall come] only to want." — Proverbs 22:16 (ASV)

He that oppresses the poor to increase his [riches] By taking away from them the little they have; by keeping back their hire, defrauding them of the just wages of their labours; or by usury and extortion, or any other unjust method, whereby they distress the poor, and enrich themselves;

[and] he that gives to the rich [will] surely [come] to want: that gives to those that are richer than he; or that are in greater power and authority, that they may protect him in the possession of his ill gotten riches;

yet, after all, it will not thrive and prosper with him, it will all issue in poverty and want: or, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "he will give to one more rich, and will want"; he will be forced to give it to another richer than he, and of greater power, and so will get nothing by his oppression of the poor; but as he has served the poor, so will he be served himself, and be brought to beggary and want; see (Proverbs 21:13) .