Wise Sayings Part #4

Written by Suzanne Benner

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“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24, NIV).

Underlined in orange in my Bible, the Proverbs have much to say about wealth and generosity.

The pitfalls of wealth emerge:
•    ill-gotten treasures are of no value (10:2)
•    wealth is worthless in the day of wrath (11:4)
•    whoever trusts in his riches will fall (11:28)
•    do not wear yourself out to get rich (23:4)
•    riches do not endure forever (27:24)
•    he who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor (28:8)
•    one eager to get rich will not go unpunished (28:20)
•    a stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him (28:22)

As well as the benefits of generosity:
•    a generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (11:25)
•    he who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD (19:17)
•    a generous man will himself be blessed (22:9)
•    he who gives to the poor will lack nothing (28:27)

These wise sayings provide the framework for a godly perspective on wealth. In our hearts, we know that material riches are temporary and will be of no value when we face God on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, we need to incorporate these guidelines into our daily lives, to not pursue wealth but be generous with the money and resources God has given us.

Perhaps we will come to the same conclusion as Agur:
“[LORD] give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8, 9).

God, I pray that you would give me a right attitude toward wealth; help me to be generous and to seek to honor You. Amen.

Questions: What dangers have you discovered in the pursuit of wealth? How are the ideas of generosity put forward in Proverbs contrary to the way the world thinks?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Tags: Agur, disown, generosity, guidelines, poverty, riches, Suzanne Benner, temporary, treasures, unpunished, wealth, wise, worthless

2 Responses to “Wise Sayings Part #4”

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Pat says:

May 26, 2010 at 9:15 pm

Well, I will surely never have to worry about the dangers of wealth because there is not a chance I Will ever be rich.. barely scraping by these days from pay check to pay check.. but the Lord always provides for us, so I don’t really have anything to complain about.
Judy says:

May 26, 2010 at 5:11 pm

It is as if “Easy Fooled” is tattooed on me and my husband’s foreheads. We, both, have big hearts and be easily fooled by people. Doesn’t the Bible tell us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. I will give you the shirt off my back but I and my husband have been greatly fooled by others.