Read Proverbs 22
22 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,
and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
9 The generous will themselves be blessed,
for they share their food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”
14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;
a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying 1
17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,
so that you bring back truthful reports
to those you serve?
Saying 2
22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,
23 for the Lord will take up their case
and will exact life for life.
Saying 3
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
and get yourself ensnared.
Saying 4
26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.
Saying 5
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your ancestors.
Saying 6
29 Do you see someone skilled in their work?
They will serve before kings;
they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Go Deeper
This chapter, at first read, can feel scattered. What is Solomon trying to teach the people of God through these verses? With a closer look, we can see a common thread woven throughout this section of Scripture. Solomon mentions riches, silver and gold, the poor, the generous, giving and oppression, discipline and training up children. All of these can be tied back to what we see described as character that honors God. This passage helps us see some of the traits that should mark our lives as we seek to live lives of obedience and bring glory to God.
In this chapter, Solomon contrasts two important types of people: the rich and the generous. We see the rich characterized as people who hoard up wealth, withhold from the needy, and only give to others who are already rich. Their character is revealed as unjust. The generous, on the other hand, take what they have and share with those in need around them. They are blessed because of their generosity. Their character shines through as just and humble. Their riches lie in the respect they earn from their strong character, not in silver and gold. Verse 2 tells us that the Lord is over the rich and the poor, reminding us that one group is not better or of more value than the other. The generous honor and show value by giving freely to all people, not withholding from those who have less.
Humility leads to honor, while injustice will only lead to poverty down the road. To honor God with our lives, we are called to live in a way that reflects His great generosity towards us. We give freely and abundantly because we know what has been given to us freely and abundantly is of more value than any earthly wealth – our salvation. We also know that this earth and everything in it will one day fall away (Matthew 24:35). We are free from hoarding money and wealth because we have an eternal treasure to look forward to. May we be a people marked by abundant generosity, seeing the needs around us and giving freely, so that people would know God by the way His people reflect Him. Let’s let our character reflect the character of our good, generous, gracious God and bestow value on the people we encounter.
Questions
- Where are you tempted to hoard or withhold what God has given you?
- Where can you begin to live more generously? Where are you already living generously?
- How does remembering God’s generosity toward you encourage you to live differently?
A Quote
A thought to be challenged by as we think about generosity in our own lives:
“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc, is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
3 responses to “Proverbs 22”
Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are able to use the whole of chapter 22 for our lives. Parenting and Family Guidance
Financial Principles and Work Ethic Social Justice and Compassion Humility and the Fear of the Lord Wisdom, Prudence, and Ethical Living
None of us will live this wisdom perfectly. That is why we have a Savior full of grace and truth. In the end, the motivation to live what has been summarized above is the fact that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, took it upon Himself to reconcile us to God through His willing and perfect obedience to God His Father.
If you want fewer temptations, change the road you’re on.
God thank You for wisdom that You give when I ask. Thank You for words that teach me to know how to handle situations. Thank You for helping me to change the road I am on so that I have fewer temptations. God give me wisdom with that road and help me to follow and navigate that wisdom. God thank You for this day, these minutes of this day that I can glorify and honor You with all I say and do in Jesus name amen.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
We have leaned heavily on this verse as we have raised up children (and now grandchildren). While it is not as straightforward as this verse may make it appear, it is uncanny how deep those childhood lessons go!
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (v6).
We get to partner with Almighty God to instill biblical principles in our children. He’s the One who brings the harvest of their souls to fruition.