Wisdom & Wealth – Proverbs
1. The Dangers of Money
“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
A. It produces a…
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.” (Proverbs 18:10-11)
B. It tempts us to replace trust in God…
“Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)
2. The Limitations of Money
A. There is something…
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.” (Proverbs 3:13-16)
B. There are some things…
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.” (Proverbs 15:17)
“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:14)
“Money can put food on the table, but not fellowship around the table. Money can give you a house, but not a home. Money can put clothes on your body and jewelry around your neck, but it cannot give you love.” (Bruce Waltke)
3. The Value of Money
A. It helps you…
“Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)
B. It helps you…
“The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends” (Proverbs 14:20). “All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.” (Proverbs 19:7)
How to Acquire True Riches
Governing Principle: …
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first-fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
1. Through righteousness…
“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 10:2)
“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.” (Proverbs 20:17)
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.” (Proverbs 21:7)
2. Through generosity…
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.” (Proverbs 11:24-26)
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:27-28)
“The leech has two daughters: Give and Give.” (Proverbs 30:15a)
“Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up: a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food…” (Proverbs 30:21-22)
“A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.” (Proverbs 16:26).
“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
3. Through hard work…
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4)
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” Proverbs 12:11)
4. Through contentment…
“Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17)
“Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” (Proverbs 23:19-21)
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
5. Through patience…
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” (Proverbs 13:11)
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
“A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” (Proverbs 28:22)
“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” (Proverbs 24:27)
“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” (Proverbs 21:20)
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.” (Proverbs 27:23-27)