Dollars and Sense Various Proverbs

 Do you consider yourself to be rich, poor, or something in between?  Are you a person who is generous with your money? Why or why not?  Would you say that having money is important to you? Why or why not?  Can you think of three things that you believe are more important to you than having money?  Of the three things that you named, how many of them would it be possible for you to have if you didn’t have enough money?

 Today we will look at what Proverbs has to say about money, wealth and poverty.  Just reading through the Proverbs at a surface level could give you the idea that the Proverbs (and the rest of the Bible as well) have a kind of mixed view when it comes to money!  The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. (10:22 - NIV)  Riches do not profit in the day of wrath… (11:4a)  Whoever trusts in his riches will fall… (11:28a)

Things We’ll Cover Today:  Definitions  The Value of Money and Wealth  The Danger of Money and Wealth  Money Can’t Meet Our Greatest Need!

Wealth  An abundance of valuable material possessions or resources (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary)  The definition of wealth tends to be somewhat relative: a person who is viewed as wealthy, is generally someone who has a lot of money relative to those around them.  By the standards of societies in Biblical times (and many societies around the world today), all but the poorest Americans would be viewed as very wealthy.

Poverty  When the Bible speaks of poverty or “the poor” it is often talking about people who are struggling to put clothes on their back or get enough food to eat.  [The Lord] executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. (Deut 10:18)  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1Tim 6:8)  Another result of poverty often mentioned in the Bible is the inability of the poor to defend themselves (either physically or legally)  Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. (31:8-9)

 Because the Bible gives many warnings about the dangers of money and wealth, you might be tempted to think that money and wealth are intrinsically bad.  But the Bible has many positive things to say about money and wealth.  The Bible describes wealth as a blessing from the Lord:  The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. (10:22 - NIV)

 The book of Proverbs describes prosperity as the natural outcome of a righteous life and the loss of wealth as the natural outcome of a sinful life:  Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. (13: NIV)  The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want. (13:25)  But we need to be careful not to over generalize – not all lost wealth is the result of the poor man’s sin:  A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away. (13:23 - NIV)

 Proverbs tells us that money and wealth are the normal reward for those who work hard and are diligent – whereas poverty is the usual consequence of laziness or chasing empty dreams:  Lazy hands [=sluggish, negligent, lax behavior] make a man poor, but diligent hands bring [=thoughtful, not hasty] wealth. (10:4 - NIV)  In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. (14:23)  Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. (28:19)

 Though wealth is generally viewed as a blessing in Proverbs, there are many dangers that come with wealth.

 Money has the power to corrupt you:  Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. (10:2)  The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. (11:1 - NIV)  Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. (15:27)  “It's no good, it's no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. (20:14 - NIV)

 Money has the power to make you think too highly of yourself:  Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. (19:4)  A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly. (18:23 - NIV)  What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1Cor 4:7b)

 Money has the power to make you greedy and hold onto that which you should have given to others:  Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce (3:9)  Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. (19:17)  One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (11:24-25).

 Money has the power to give you a false sense of security.  The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. (18:10-11)  The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. (13:8)  Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. (11:28)

 Money can cause you to forget God altogether!  …give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. (30:8b-9)

 If you’re not careful, money will become your god:  Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (23:4-5 - NIV)  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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. (1Tim 6: NIV)

 Therefore the New Testament gives the following warnings and instructions to Christians who are wealthy:  As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1Tim 6:17-19)

 Proverbs warns us that wealth will be of no use to us in the Day of Judgment:  Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. (11:4)  We know from the New Testament that it is Christ’s righteousness that delivers us from the death of eternal torment.  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2Cor 8:9)