There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke.
The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked goes out.
Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it.
Proverbs 13:7-11
Jesus said it best in Matthew 6:21, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” While Jesus said it better than anyone before, He wasn’t saying anything new. Our passage in Proverbs 13 today intersects money and wealth with the issues of the heart. So let’s talk about this together.
Verse 7 is one of those cryptic statements Proverbs that you can read it in a few different ways. Is the verse talking about that it’s good to be pretend something that you’re not? Or that it’s bad? Or just helping us realize that people aren’t always what they appear to be? Elsewhere, Proverbs will teach on the importance of honesty and integrity. So while some might pretend to be what they are not financially, wisdom would encourage us to be honest.
Because, as verse 8 points out, there are both advantages and disadvantages to having wealth. The wealthy may be forced to give up their money to others as a ransom, or whatever may be the circumstance. The poor, with their lack of wealth, aren’t at all challenged.
Verse 9 switches gears on us, but that’s intentional. Again, money and wealth are connected to bigger issues of the heart. It’s not that the light of the wealthy or poor rejoice; it’s that the light of the righteous. Whatever your financial status currently, make sure you are right with God. That’s where true and lasting joy is found.
Likewise, verse 10 highlights how we receive correction and counsel. The insolent want nothing to do with advice from others, and so receive strife, difficulty, trouble. A humble and wise heart receives council and benefits from this.
Verse 11 brings us back to money. So, we want to have a righteous and humble heart so that we rejoice and receive advice. With such a heart, then, we would work hard and diligently at our jobs. The easy way to obtaining wealth – by stealing, cheating, or fraud – means that money is here today and gone tomorrow. But those diligent in work, persevering through the challenges and hard times, will increase wealth. True, it may be little by little, but it will increase.
So next time you look over a bill or budget or prepare to give to someone in need, think also about your heart. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Thank you for joining me. I hope God blessed you as we chatted about His Word together. Next time, we will chat over Proverbs 13:12-19!