Money: Selected Proverbs

Introduction

Once a year, Dwight or I have a specific sermon on money, giving, or wealth. Proverbs has much to say about this subject, and today is our annual sermon on money. The Finance Committee will in September distribute and collect purpose cards for the 2002 budget, so you will hear from them later on. This is our last sermon from Proverbs. Next week we begin a series from the gospel of Mark. Several months ago, Dwight and I chose these series to follow the series on Proverbs because of the connection of wisdom. Proverbs endorses wisdom, and Jesus is the embodiment of wisdom. So we will study from the gospel of Mark through March of next year.

Wealth is fairly subjective. Generally, we view those who have more money than us as being wealthy. But the truth is that most of us have financially more than many in our world. If comparisons are made, then we become wealthy as well when compared to those who have less monetarily than we. You may not think you are wealthy, but you are wealthier than someone in this world and far wealthier than you may realize.

But this lesson today is not to make us feel guilty or ashamed of what we have. God has blessed us. Those blessings are to be enjoyed and shared. You do a good job of that. Today we are going to look at six principles of wealth found in Proverbs. You may find other principles in Proverbs concerning wealth, but I have tried to narrow as much of the texts as possible into fairly broad areas which we will consider today. Our purpose today is to have a greater appreciation for what we do have and to allow God’s wisdom to guide us in terms of our wealth.

Wisdom and Wealth

The first three principles from Proverbs deal with the foundation for wealth. The first is that wisdom gives wealth needed guidance. In Proverbs 8, several verses speak about the importance of wisdom over wealth. “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (8:10-11). The value of wisdom is seen in latter verses in which the reader is told that with wisdom comes wealth. The foundation of wisdom is to fear God. Real wisdom sees God as the beginning and end of life. Real wisdom reveres God above all else. Wealth is subjected to wisdom, for with wisdom not only is wealth achieved but wealth is used to honor God. Without wisdom, wealth is spent carelessly and selfishly. Without wisdom, wealth is wasted rather than shared to assist those who are in need.

The second principle grows out of the need for wisdom: those who honor God with their wealth are blessed in return. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” The wise men knew how important it was to make wisdom life’s priority. Gratitude and thankfulness because of what God has done means that we honor him through giving away the first part of our wealth.

The third principle is simply this: those who make riches their passion lose more than they gain. Proverbs 23:4-5 gives an apt description: “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” Those who pursue wealth for its own sake will find that such a pursuit takes its toll physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This does not mean that wealth is wrong, but that the pursuit of it for its own sake leads to a path which takes us away from God. The wise man knew that wealth was fleeting. Wealth does not last forever. All too quickly wealth leaves. As someone has said, the wise person understands that the last coat someone wears has no pockets. These three principles emphasize the foundation of wealth—the best foundation is to pursue wisdom, the fear of the Lord, and allow him to give you your wealth.

Consequences of Wealth

The next three principles demonstrate that there are consequences to wealth. It is said that wealthy people have more to be worried about than those who are not wealthy, and there is some truth to that statement. The wise men recognized that with an increase in riches there is an increase in complications.

Wealth gives a false sense of security. Proverbs 18:11 says, “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.” We believe that our wealth will insulate us from many of the trials of life, but in reality we know this isn’t true. Wealth is not able to stop physical maladies, broken hearts, or troubled minds.

Wealth makes friends appear. Proverbs 14:20 says, “The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.” Out of nowhere friends arrive at the doorstep of the wealthy. Solicitations and distant cousins appear looking for financial help.

Wealth creates pride and arrogance. Proverbs 28:11 states, “A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.” Wealth can blind us to what is real. Wealth can create within us a feeling that we are better than others.

The second consequence of wealth is that money cannot buy life’s most valuable possessions. Three things which money cannot buy are integrity, reputation, and love. Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse (28:6). All the money in the world will not secure a character of honesty and high ethical standards. The money may keep you from legal consequences, but money cannot buy you integrity.

Money cannot buy a good reputation. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Money cannot secure a good standing among those who know you. Money can get you noticed. Money can open many doors. Money can even get you accepted among peers, but it cannot give you a godly reputation.

Money cannot buy you love. Proverbs 15:17 states, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” All the money in the world will not at the end of life allow you to be surrounded by those who want to hold your hand as you die. It is far better to be poor and surrounded by love than to be rich and without love.

God never speaks against having wealth but the misuse of wealth. We may view wealth as the answer to life’s ills. There is no doubt that having wealth allows us to do things and have things which would not be ours otherwise. There is no doubt that with money we have the best that this life can offer. Unfortunately, we at times measure a person by income. We associate wealth with greater intelligence, creativity, ingenuity, and success. But God’s view of success and this world’s view are opposites. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. That’s God’s view. Learning that real success is found not in the numbers in an account but in the real values of life—love, integrity, reputation, faith. No person is a failure who loves God. The world may look down on one who has no wealth, but with God’s love in the heart, that person is a real success.

Look at the life of Jesus. The world didn’t view him as successful, but who would disagree that he was a man who feared God and did his will? If we can be like Jesus with wealth or without wealth, then we are successful. The last principle is simply this: money can bring great encouragement if handled wisely and if not, great distress. Proverbs 15:16 tells us, “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.” What really matters in life is staying close to God. When we stand before him, our wealth will not matter. When we meet our final judgment, we will all be the same—both rich and poor. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Have you placed your trust in God or in wealth? The things of real value cannot be bought with money. What is important is being right with God.

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