Wealth and Money
When reading through Proverbs there are numerous verses discussing the issues of money and wealth. To begin to get an understanding one should know the Hebrew words behind the English translation. The Hebrew word for money is kasaph which can also be translated silver. The most common word used for wealth is chayiel, which can also be translated riches or possessions. There are other Hebrew words that pertain but for brevity sake these are the two most common. As with all of the Hebrew language these terms are fluid and translated in a variety of ways, which also reflects the various ways wealth is viewed by the sages of Proverbs. [1]
Wealth is truly the epitome of the allegorical double-edged sword. Some passages affirm that it is good and others warn against the dangers of it. Essentially, there are two types of wealth according to the sage. There is good wealth, which must still be handled with caution, and then there is evil wealth, which has been acquired by wicked means. The sage Agur provides the model verse for wealth in Proverbs 30:8b-9. He states, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or I shall be poor, and steal and profane the name of my God” (NRSV).
Wealth is one place where middle of the road seems to be the safest place to be. With that said, wealth is looked upon favorably when achieved with good means and through godly character. The Master Card commercials capture the essence of wealth as described in Proverbs. Wealth can purchase many things and provide for many things but it cannot obtain the most important things in life: love, fellowship, and wisdom. Basically, wealth should not be despised but it should not be coveted.
There are definite benefits to having wealth. Wealth results in honor and power. People are more likely to listen to you if you have money. People will give you respect when you have money. You will be able to accomplish things with money. People who have wealth are more likely to have a lot of friends. Wealth ensures that you will not starve. People in poverty will be unable to achieve these things. Wealth gives security but it does not save a person from death. Wealth can provide many things but it is not a replacement for God. True wealth is actually provided by YHWH.
One of the paradoxes of Proverbs and wealth is that while wealth is a blessing from God you cannot pursue wealth. When a person sets out to pursue wealth, they will fail to obtain it. They may obtain many riches but they will not find the true wealth of God. True wealth is a combination of worldly goods and godly wisdom. Wealth must be obtained through hard work and integrity. Only the person who walks in righteousness and seeks wisdom will find true wealth. The sage advises us to chase after wisdom and righteousness. Only then will wealth and possessions not be a curse. When a person walks in wisdom and righteousness wealth will be a reward for their faithfulness. Acquiring wealth at the cost of others, especially the poor, is utterly wicked and vile. It is better to be poor yourself than to steal wealth from others.
In summary, wealth is a result of and a reward for faithful living. A person who seeks wisdom and walks with integrity will find true wealth. True wealth cannot be measured by worldly goods but rather by the richness of relationships, the honor given by others, and by intimacy with YHWH. Pursuit of worldly wealth will result in deceitful behavior, disgrace, and ruin. Money and possessions are to be seen as a blessing from God. If we forget that they are from God, we may forget who our God is. Therefore, seek wisdom and a fear of the LORD above all else and wealth will find you.
[1] From several searches using Gramcord Bible Companion and The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, I was able to find the subjects of wealth and money in the following passages of Proverbs. The list is an attempt to be as complete as possible. Proverbs 5:10; 7:20; 8:10, 18, 21; 10:2-5, 15; 11:2-8, 28; 12:27; 13:7-11, 22; 14: 24; 15:7-8; 18:11; 19:4, 14; 28:8.
When reading through Proverbs there are numerous verses discussing the issues of money and wealth. To begin to get an understanding one should know the Hebrew words behind the English translation. The Hebrew word for money is kasaph which can also be translated silver. The most common word used for wealth is chayiel, which can also be translated riches or possessions. There are other Hebrew words that pertain but for brevity sake these are the two most common. As with all of the Hebrew language these terms are fluid and translated in a variety of ways, which also reflects the various ways wealth is viewed by the sages of Proverbs. [1]
Wealth is truly the epitome of the allegorical double-edged sword. Some passages affirm that it is good and others warn against the dangers of it. Essentially, there are two types of wealth according to the sage. There is good wealth, which must still be handled with caution, and then there is evil wealth, which has been acquired by wicked means. The sage Agur provides the model verse for wealth in Proverbs 30:8b-9. He states, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or I shall be poor, and steal and profane the name of my God” (NRSV).
Wealth is one place where middle of the road seems to be the safest place to be. With that said, wealth is looked upon favorably when achieved with good means and through godly character. The Master Card commercials capture the essence of wealth as described in Proverbs. Wealth can purchase many things and provide for many things but it cannot obtain the most important things in life: love, fellowship, and wisdom. Basically, wealth should not be despised but it should not be coveted.
There are definite benefits to having wealth. Wealth results in honor and power. People are more likely to listen to you if you have money. People will give you respect when you have money. You will be able to accomplish things with money. People who have wealth are more likely to have a lot of friends. Wealth ensures that you will not starve. People in poverty will be unable to achieve these things. Wealth gives security but it does not save a person from death. Wealth can provide many things but it is not a replacement for God. True wealth is actually provided by YHWH.
One of the paradoxes of Proverbs and wealth is that while wealth is a blessing from God you cannot pursue wealth. When a person sets out to pursue wealth, they will fail to obtain it. They may obtain many riches but they will not find the true wealth of God. True wealth is a combination of worldly goods and godly wisdom. Wealth must be obtained through hard work and integrity. Only the person who walks in righteousness and seeks wisdom will find true wealth. The sage advises us to chase after wisdom and righteousness. Only then will wealth and possessions not be a curse. When a person walks in wisdom and righteousness wealth will be a reward for their faithfulness. Acquiring wealth at the cost of others, especially the poor, is utterly wicked and vile. It is better to be poor yourself than to steal wealth from others.
In summary, wealth is a result of and a reward for faithful living. A person who seeks wisdom and walks with integrity will find true wealth. True wealth cannot be measured by worldly goods but rather by the richness of relationships, the honor given by others, and by intimacy with YHWH. Pursuit of worldly wealth will result in deceitful behavior, disgrace, and ruin. Money and possessions are to be seen as a blessing from God. If we forget that they are from God, we may forget who our God is. Therefore, seek wisdom and a fear of the LORD above all else and wealth will find you.
[1] From several searches using Gramcord Bible Companion and The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, I was able to find the subjects of wealth and money in the following passages of Proverbs. The list is an attempt to be as complete as possible. Proverbs 5:10; 7:20; 8:10, 18, 21; 10:2-5, 15; 11:2-8, 28; 12:27; 13:7-11, 22; 14: 24; 15:7-8; 18:11; 19:4, 14; 28:8.
Bibliography
Bruce K. Waltke, The book of Proverbs Chapters 1-15. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI; Eerdmans, 2004.
Perdue, Leo G. Proverbs. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville: John Knox Press, 2000.
Bruce K. Waltke, The book of Proverbs Chapters 1-15. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI; Eerdmans, 2004.
Perdue, Leo G. Proverbs. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville: John Knox Press, 2000.
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