The Proverbs Speak of Possessions and Wealth

Jay Horsley

The most famous statement concerning riches in the scriptures was given by the apostle Paul to the evangelist Timothy. He said, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.” (1 Tim. 6:10) The danger of lusting for (loving) money was grave enough that the “man of God” was to “flee it.” (vs. 11) While recognizing this danger we must also realize what the apostle did not say. He did not make a blanket condemnation of all material goods. The possession of goods, the acquisition of goods, nor even having enough of them to be considered wealthy are inherently wrong. We know that this is true for the following verses contain instructions to rich saints. They are not to be “conceited, but to trust in God” and to use their means to “lay up treasure” in heaven by “doing good” with them. (vss. 17-19)

So it is the love and lust for these things that is condemned and to be avoided, not the acquisition by honest means or use of these things that are wrong. As long as they are not the primary object of a persons desires (to the detriment of Christian faith and values) and if they are put to good (God approved) use once acquired, these materials things can in fact be a blessing. When Solomon considered all the vanities of life in the book of Ecclesiastes he concluded that this was about the best one could do here on earth, “Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.” (Eccl. 5:18,19) 

When considered all aspects of material goods, the richest vein in the scriptures to mine is the Proverbs. Here we find more instruction concerning them than any other place. Consider the following Proverbs about possessions and wealth.

1.) The Destitution Of The Lazy: If you won't work, save, and use wisely you surely won't have much.

6:9-11 “How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest–

11 And your poverty will come in like a vagabond, And your need like an armed man.”

13:4 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.”

20:4 “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.”

21:17 “He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.”

2.) Material Blessings That Many Righteous Receive: Though the righteous are certainly not guaranteed wealth, the righteous man who exercises wisdom and good stewardship over a lifetime will most always have more than those who don't.

10:4 “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

14:23 “In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.”

22:4 “The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life.

24:3,4 “ By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;

4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”

28:19 “He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.”

3.) Warnings To Those That Trust in Riches: Some think that having goods and money in the bank make a man secure. However, nothing temporal cannot be taken, and nothing eternal can be taken by force from you.

11:4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.”

11:28 “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.”

18:11,12 “A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.”

27:24 “For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations.”

4.) Some Obtain Wealth Improperly: There will always be covetous people who strive to get rich quick by unethical means. From outright theft to more subtle forms of taking advantage, the invention of greedy men is boundless. But they will not long prosper.

11:16 “A gracious woman attains honor, And violent men attain riches.”

11:18 “The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.”

22:16 “He who oppresses the poor to make much for himself, Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”

28:20 “A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.”

5.) Wealth Isn't The Key To True Fulfillment: No matter how much we have, or how we got it, “not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

14:20 “The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.”

22:1 “A good name is to be more desired than great riches, Favor is better than silver and gold.”

28:6 “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than he who is crooked though he be rich.”

Let us also consider the words of Agur, the prophet, since we wish to examine the entire picture of wealth and goods. He saw the great benefit if just having enough.

30:7-9 “Two things I asked of Thee, Do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,

9 Lest I be full and deny Thee and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.“

If we have much let us be grateful that we have been allowed to prosper, always remembering that we have responsibilities toward God for good use of it. If we have enough let us realize that God has graciously provided and let us be thankful. If we lack so that we are dependent on others let us be grateful that they respect God's way enough to help us. And let us conclude with one final reminder: “The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all.” (22:2)