What Proverbs Teaches Me About Money? (Proverbs 13)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

How much does God have to say about the way I handle my finances?

Quite a bit, actually, especially in Proverbs 13. This chapter touches on a myriad of topics, with six verses specifically handling the topic of finance. Verse 4 says, “The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.” In other words, as Allen Ross wrote, “Rather than spend all day hoping for things they do not have, the diligent work toward realizing their dreams.”^[1]

Verse 7 says, “One person pretends to be rich but has nothing; another pretends to be poor but has abundant wealth.” There are multiple ways to read verse 7, but Bruce Waltke writes, “The poor fool pretends to possess a great quantity of valuable possessions in order to give the appearance of wisdom’s success and to command social respect (see 12:9). The rich fool pretends to be poor, probably to avoid giving alms (13:7b), and so neglects to communicate his blessings (1 Tim. 6:18). Both liars are wicked (vv. 5b, 6b).”^[2]

Verse 8 says, “Riches are a ransom for a person’s life, but a poor person hears no threat.” In other words, “The rich person is exposed to legal and powerful assaults and uses his wealth as ransom. The poor person is free from blackmail and so ignores the attack and endures the consequences of difficulties.”^[3]

Verse 11 says, “Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it,” and verse 18 says, “Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore discipline, but the one who accepts correction will be honored.” In other words, when we forsake wise counsel and accumulate wealth through dishonest means, we will eventually come to ruin.

Finally, verse 22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” This tells us something about the generational nature of wealth. Parents who do not save wisely force their children to start from nothing. But those who leverage their wealth for good can set their kids up for success—thus freeing them up to do more Kingdom activity.

If we were to summarize Proverbs 13’s financial wisdom in a few soundbites, we might say, don’t pretend to be rich when you aren’t, remember that riches and poverty have unique downsides, dishonest work will eventually lead to our downfall, financial counselors are critical, and passing on wealth to our kids and grandkids should be the goal of every Godly parent.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Heavenly Father, I praise you for your wisdom that guides us through the complexities of life, including our finances. Your word shows us the blessings of hard work and the folly of quick riches. Lord, you are the source of all abundance and the teacher of true prosperity.

Release | Lord, I release my anxieties and fears about financial security into your hands. I let go of the desire for wealth that comes quickly, understanding that it often vanishes just as fast (Proverbs 13:11). Help me not to envy others but to be content with what you have provided.

Ask | I ask for your guidance to make wise decisions with the money you have entrusted to me. Give me the discernment to see opportunities that align with your principles, the strength to work diligently (Proverbs 13:4), and the wisdom to save for the future (Proverbs 13:22). Help me to use my resources to bless others and to further your kingdom.

Yield | I yield my will to you, recognizing that true riches are found in your love and righteousness. I commit to following your teachings, knowing that you reward honesty and integrity (Proverbs 13:6). May my actions reflect your generosity and lead me to a life of genuine fulfillment and purpose beyond material wealth.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ  

One of the reasons we struggle to have God’s blessing in our finances is we do not live as he calls us to live. Rather than being generous towards others, we hoard. Rather than earning wealth honestly, we fudge the numbers on our taxes. And rather than save to pass on wealth to our kids and grandkids, we waste money on frivolous things. As Ray Ortlund writes,

When we have financial problems, our primary business is not with man but with God, for ‘the blessing of the LORD makes rich’ (10:22). Our employers do not provide for us; God does. Let us fulfill our financial obligations, but let us trust in the Lord alone. And let us always remember this: “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it (15:16; cf. 15:17; 1 Tim. 6:6–10).”^[4]

But everything changes when we pay close attention to Proverbs and what God has to say about money in his word.

^[1]Allen P. Ross, “Proverbs,” in Proverbs-Isaiah, vol. 6 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition. ed. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland; Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 127.

^[2]Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 1–15, New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004), 558.

^[3]Allen P. Ross, “Proverbs,” in Proverbs-Isaiah, vol. 6 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition. ed. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland; Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 127.

^[4]Bryan Chapell, eds. Gospel Transformation Study Bible Notes. Accordance electronic ed. (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), paragraph 2689.