# 459 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 21 (2) Let’s talk about money!

In recent elections in Australia, the topic which by far dominated the conversations of politicians and people generally were finances! Which party was going to build up Australia’s economy? Which party was going to ease the economic strain on families with daily increases in the cost of living? Which party was going to solve the problem of greater demand than supply of housing needs in Australia? And the list went on.

Whether we like it or not, we all need some money to live in this world, and although some people have misquoted a verse in the Bible and say that Christians believe that “money is the root of all evil,” in fact the Bible does not say that.

The actual verse is found in 1 Timothy 6 and says:

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

I’m sure that most of us have either experienced at times a sense of discontentment at our lot in life. But here Paul says to Timothy to be content and not to be eager for money in order to save yourself from falling into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, and from  many griefs, even ruin and destruction.

The author of Proverbs 21 also has some advice concerning our attitude to money as follows:

⁶ A fortune made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

The meaning is obvious – “When wealth is pursued for its own sake, and without a sense of values, it turns sour.” (# 53)

¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

So, just as the love of money results in disaster, so too the love of pleasure… wine…olive oil (i.e., too much eating and drinking – gluttony!).

²⁰ The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

A little bit of self-discipline and self-restraint goes a long way. Probably prevents indigestion as well.

²⁵ The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,
    because his hands refuse to work.
²⁶ All day long he craves for more,
    but the righteous give without sparing.

And as we have considered previously, “The lazy person loses contact with reality and the rewards of hard work.” (# 53) Then in contrast, the one who is right in his/her relationship with God (and money) gives without sparing, i.e., shares all God’s blessings with those in need.

Ultimately, true riches are far more that anything money can buy. Proverbs 8 says (and here “Wisdom” is speaking):

¹⁷ I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me find me.
¹⁸ With me are riches and honor,
    enduring wealth and prosperity.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than fine gold;
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.
²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness,
    along the paths of justice,
²¹ bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.

“The fear of the Lord, the intimate relationship the wise have with God, is better than fine gold. Wealth is a great good as long as it does not become your summon bonum – your greatest good.” (# 51)

Jesus said something very important concerning this. He said:

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

Just recently, I went to the funeral of my 100-year-old aunt. A word that was used often concerning her was “generosity.” In fact, before she died, she “paid forward” for the next 3 years all the money that was required to support the missionaries she had been supporting for years previously. A great example of humbly serving God with her finances.

Well done, good and faithful servant! (Matthew 25:21)

May these be the words of our God to us when we eventually die and meet with him.

And as we now move onto Proverbs 22, let me finish with the first two verses from this chapter:

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.   Amen.