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.