Thoughts on the topic of money from the book of wisdom

The book of Proverbs has much to say about the topic of money. Very much! So many verses that I have created categories that will help me focus on particular topics related to money, such as worth of money, value of money, effect of money, greed for money and money and the Lord.

Let’s dive into the wisdom of Proverbs for a few moments.

In our first post on the topic of money, I had an extended introduction on the intangible assets such as instruction, knowledge, understanding and wisdom that is compared with money in the proverbs, along with a short discussion on each of these intangible assets. I also tried to define the difference between worth and value in the first post. If there is interest in this topic, please see Proverbial Thoughts on Money / Instruction.

Otherwise, our topic in this post is money in relation to righteousness.

4 Worth of Money

Worth Less than Righteousness

Proverbs 10:2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

What can be said when comparing money, (treasures in this instance) with righteousness. Much in every way! Yet I want to be careful, for I would like to remind my reader that Solomon qualifies the attainment of treasures in this verse. He speaks of treasures gained by wickedness. He does not condemn the gaining of treasures through righteousness, for in chapter 15:6, Solomon clearly speaks to this truth.

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Let’s also be clear that when Solomon speaks of great treasures, he may not have tangible assets (money) in mind, but intangible assets, like wisdom, and knowledge, even the fear of the Lord! Yet this verse may aptly be referring to physical treasure for the second verse speak of “income”. I will leave that with my reader to consider!

This first half of Proverbs 10:2 is instructive in itself, for though the treasure is gained through wickedness, motivated for profit, Solomon says there is no profit. That phrase alone should alert us that Solomon may not be speaking of possessions primarily.

The second half of Proverbs 10:2 speaks of righteousness delivering from death. When coupled with the first half of the verse, it appears that treasure gained by wickedness not only provides no profit, but is of no use in the end. Death can not be paid off with wicked cash, for it cannot deliver the soul.

In a culture rife with transactions, with contracts, deals, pacts, financial promises, agreements, purchase orders, terms, conditions, pledges and accords, it is very easy to forget that death does not deal with funds, money or treasure as we think of it. Redemption is often thought of in our world as the cost required to purchase something. Yet the cost for true redemption cannot include the funds we so often handle on a day to day basis! True redemption comes from One source, One person, One act of love that is beyond our imagination.

1 Peter 1:18 -19 …. you were ransomed (purchased) from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable (tangible) things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Italicized inserted by author

Solomon continues this thoughts on the worthlessness of money in relation to death in Proverbs 11:4.

Proverbs 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Money is worthless in the end. Worthless, even full of disappointment and sorrow, for what is worse than depending on something and finding out it is a complete disappointment. How shocking for those who trust in money. Disappointment awaits them!

Money, or the acquisition of possessions is often “sold” to the public as the way to find satisfaction in this life. Solomon addresses this erroneous thinking in our next verse.

Proverbs 13:25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

The righteous are described as satisfied without quantifying any treasure. Righteousness in the saint provides satisfaction. Note that in Proverbs 13:25, the topic of acquiring treasure (money) is not brought up. Satisfaction without considering the acquisition of treasures? Amazing!

Consider what we have discovered in this brief series on money. Money is worth less than each of these intangible assets:

• instruction
• knowledge
• wisdom
• righteousness

We will continue this series on the worth of money for the saint, but at this time, consider the worth of money in the end. One that last day, money (or treasures) will provide no profit, will not deliver, and supplies no real satisfaction.

There is one “commodity” that delivers in the end, and that was shed by One who delivers throughout all of life, providing satisfaction as we walk with Him, and life eternal to those who trust Him.

His name is Jesus, and He is Righteousness personified, even becoming our righteousness, providing redemption, the purchasing of our meager lives, for His glory!!

1 Corinthians 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

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Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.