Read Proverbs 11:15–31
Questions from the Scripture text: Who will suffer (Proverbs 11:15a)? Who will be secure (verse 15b)? What does a gracious woman retain (Proverbs 11:16a)? What do ruthless men retain (verse 16b)? Who does good for his own soul (Proverbs 11:17a)? Who troubles his own flesh (verse 17b)? What sort of work does the wicked man do (Proverbs 11:18a)? Who will have a sure reward (verse 18b)? What does righteousness lead to (Proverbs 11:19a)? What does the pursuit of evil lead to (verse 19b)? What is the danger of a perverse heart (Proverbs 11:20a)? And the benefit of a blameless one (verse 20b)? What will surely happen to the wicked (Proverbs 11:21a)? And to the righteous (verse 21b)? How appropriate is beauty without taste/discernment (Proverbs 11:22)? What do the righteous desire (Proverbs 11:23a)? What can the wicked expect (verse 23b)? What does the one in Proverbs 11:24a do? With what result? What does the one in verse 24b do? With what result (verse 24c)? Who will be made rich (Proverbs 11:25a)? What happens to the generous (verse 25b)? What happens to the hoarder (Proverbs 11:26a)? And what to the one who sells willingly (verse 26b)? Who finds favor (Proverbs 11:27a)? To whom does trouble come (verse 27b)? What happens to the one who trusts in riches (Proverbs 11:28a)? Who flourish (verse 28b)? What does the troubler of his own house inherit (Proverbs 11:29a)? What will happen to the fool (verse 29b)? What fruit do the righteous produce (Proverbs 11:30a)? What is required for taking/bringing souls (verse 30b)? Who will be rewarded, where (Proverbs 11:31a)? Who, even more so (verse 31b)?
How can you be rich? Proverbs 11:15–31 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that true riches are to be rich toward God.
This extended section begins (Proverbs 11:15-18) and ends (Proverbs 11:23-31) with sections comparing the pursuit of wealth at the expense of others with the fruits of a righteousness that blesses others. This combines the thoughts of the first two sections of the chapter, which taught that the righteous are a blessing to themselves (Proverbs 11:1-8) and to others (Proverbs 11:9-14). Being a surety encourages others to make promises that they cannot keep, which harms both (Proverbs 11:15). The pursuit of riches leads to ruthlessness, but the gain comes at the too-high cost of the loss of honor (Proverbs 11:16). Mercy to others does one’s own soul good, but cruelty troubles one’s flesh. There is no true gain, temporal/physical or eternal/spiritual, by taking advantage of others (Proverbs 11:17). The wicked might think that he is gaining, but he is deceived (Proverbs 11:18a, Proverbs 11:19b, Proverbs 11:23b). The righteous, for whom the pursuit of the reward is not the chief priority, will surely have that reward (Proverbs 11:18b, Proverbs 11:19a, Proverbs 11:23a).
Proverbs 11:24-26 deal specifically with generosity. God’s world is not zero-sum. Those who give generously increase, but the stingy decrease (Proverbs 11:24-26, cf. 2 Corinthians 9:6). This is true not only in what thy possess but especially in others’ esteem of them (Proverbs 11:26). One must not think that favor can be obtained, or trouble avoided, by any evil method (Proverbs 11:27). Pursuing riches, at the cost of others, loses the riches and everything else (Proverbs 11:21a, Proverbs 11:28a, Proverbs 11:29, Proverbs 11:31b, cf. Luke 12:16–21), but pursuing righteousness gains thriving life (Proverbs 11:21b, Proverbs 11:28b, Proverbs 11:30, Proverbs 11:31a, cf. 1 Timothy 6:17–19).
Sandwiched between these two sections are two verses that stand out by their difference from the rest of the passage: a reminder that the main thing in life is to please the Lord (Proverbs 11:20, cf. Proverbs 11:1), and a humorous exposing of how out of place, itself, is beauty (or riches) without wisdom (particularly the wisdom of taste, or discernment, in Proverbs 11:22).
Dear reader, there is nothing more fitting for image-bearers than to pursue righteousness and generosity, like their generous Lord, before His face. Seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all good things will be added to you (cf. Matthew 6:33).
What particular earthly treasures are you tempted to pursue as your priority? Whom, specifically, might you disregard or do harm by doing so? Why, before God, would this be so bad? What can you expect from doing so?
Sample prayer: Lord, grant that we would consider You Yourself, and righteousness before You, our great treasure. Keep us from those treasurings that distort us and make us profoundly unfitting to Your beauty upon us. Thank You for Your perfect generosity, especially displayed in Christ’s giving Himself. Make us like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400“Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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