The Wisdom of Proverbs: Wealth, Wisdom, and the Heart
Written by Dr. Ken Boa, President of Reflections Ministries
The book of Proverbs is filled with timeless wisdom about life, and one of its recurring themes is money. Proverbs offers guidance on both the value and the limitations of wealth, revealing that money is a powerful tool but also a dangerous idol if it takes God’s place in our hearts. In this reflection, we will explore how Proverbs teaches us to view wealth wisely and live with an eternal perspective.
Proverbs makes it clear that wealth is not the ultimate goal of life. To pursue money as our highest aim is to exchange the eternal for the temporary. When we elevate material gain above our relationship with God, we step into idolatry—what Proverbs would call spiritual adultery.
Proverbs 15:16–17 reminds us:
“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”
True satisfaction does not come from possessions. Money can meet physical needs and provide temporary comfort, but it cannot satisfy the soul. It cannot give us lasting joy, peace, or love. Even a simple meal shared in love is better than a feast filled with strife.
Scripture also warns that wealth is fleeting. Proverbs 23:4–5 paints the vivid picture:
“Do not weary yourself to gain wealth… When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.”
Earthly riches disappear, and none of them can follow us into eternity. That is why Jesus urges us in Matthew 6 to store our treasure in heaven, where it will never be lost. Our true investment is not in things that fade but in the Kingdom that endures.
Wealth also carries spiritual risks. The more we have, the greater the temptation to trust in our possessions rather than in God. King Agur’s prayer in Proverbs 30:7–9 captures this tension:
“Give me neither poverty nor riches… lest I be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be in want and steal and profane the name of my God.”
Too much wealth can lead to pride and self-sufficiency, while extreme poverty can tempt us to dishonor God through desperation. The biblical call is to live in contentment, trusting God for our daily bread.
1 Timothy 6:17 echoes this wisdom:
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
Money is not evil in itself, but the love of money leads to all kinds of sin. The danger lies in placing our security, identity, or hope in wealth instead of in the Lord.
Proverbs also acknowledges the benefits of money when it is obtained and used rightly. Wealth can protect against the hardships of poverty, provide resources to bless others, and allow us to enjoy God’s good creation. Proverbs 10:22 says:
“It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.”
Money itself is neutral—it is the heart behind how we gain and use it that determines whether it becomes a blessing or a snare.
Proverbs gives practical guidance on how to gain wealth wisely and in a way that honors God:
- Through Righteousness, Not Deceit
Wealth obtained dishonestly will ultimately bring trouble. Proverbs 10:2 says, “Ill-gotten gains do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” - Through Diligence, Not Laziness
Hard work is a recurring theme. Proverbs 10:4 reminds us: “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” Laziness leads to poverty, while faithful labor often results in provision. - Through Generosity, Not Miserliness
Proverbs consistently praises generosity: “There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more… The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:24–25)
Generosity reflects our trust in God as our ultimate provider. Hoarding, by contrast, is a form of self-reliance that leads to spiritual poverty.
Proverbs also warns against several financial pitfalls:
- Co-signing or risky surety: Proverbs 11:15 warns that guaranteeing someone else’s debts can bring ruin.
- Quick, dishonest gain: Proverbs 13:11 teaches that “wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.”
- Misaligned priorities: Proverbs 21:17 warns that loving pleasure leads to poverty.
Wisdom calls us to patience, prudence, and self-control.
Based on biblical teaching, a wise order for financial stewardship might look like this:
- Give to God first – Invest in Kingdom work as an act of worship.
- Pay what you owe – Honor obligations to employees or creditors promptly.
- Practice generosity to the poor – Seek opportunities to bless those in need.
- Invest in personal growth and tools – Utilize resources that help you serve and grow.
- Save for future needs – Prepare without making wealth your ultimate security.
- Meet your personal appetites in moderation – Enjoy God’s gifts without excess.
Our culture, by contrast, encourages satisfying appetites first and borrowing against the future to meet our current desires. Proverbs reminds us to reorder our lives according to wisdom from above.
The wisdom of Proverbs teaches us that money is a gift and a tool—but never a god. It is fleeting, limited, and potentially dangerous when it replaces trust in the Lord. True security, joy, and peace come not from our possessions but from our relationship with God.
When we honor the Lord first, practice diligence, live generously, and seek eternal treasure, we experience freedom from the anxieties and temptations that wealth often brings. Ultimately, Proverbs calls us to live with open hands, faithful hearts, and eyes fixed on the Kingdom that never fades.
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Dr. Ken Boa co-authored the book Leverage, with Russ Crosson, chief mission officer of Blue Trust, which guides the reader through the principles of biblical generosity–the why, when, how much, and where of giving–and then outlines a variety of practical applications designed to aid you in your plans to give wisely and generously. To order the book and accompanying Bible study, please visit the Leverage Store here.
Dr. Boa is dedicated to a ministry of relational evangelism and discipleship, with a focus on teaching, writing, and speaking. For over 40 years, he has been sharing Scripture-based truth to help individuals gain a deeper, God-centered perspective on life. Through his work, he equips others to live out their faith with wisdom and clarity. To see more content from Dr. Boa, please subscribe to his Substack here or go to his website for more resources.