The book of Proverbs has an interesting place in the Bible. It is not a book of law, prescribing absolute rules, nor is it a book of prophecy, predicting what will happen in your future. Instead Proverbs is a book of principles and real-world observations. Perhaps this is why Proverbs has so much to say about money and wealth, which are a significant part of day-to-day life, but which don’t always feel like very “spiritual” matters.
Proverbs takes many different aspects of our financial lives and reveals the unifying thread:
In the long run, prosperity is inextricably linked to character.
In this post we have listed 39 passages from Proverbs that cover topics from tithing and generosity to greed and debt. Take a moment to see what these verses say about your approach to money and wealth!
Wealth & Riches
Proverbs highlights the fact that wealth is neither good nor bad on its own. It tends to be the natural result of diligence and integrity (albeit not necessarily right away). But we are cautioned that wealth is not always what it seems!
“The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.” Proverbs 22:4, NASB
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.” Proverbs 21:5-6, NASB
“Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Proverbs 23:4-5, NASB
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” Proverbs 27:23-24, NASB
“There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.” Proverbs 13:7, NASB
“A rich person’s wealth is a strong city or like a high wall—in his imagination.” Proverbs 18:11, TLV
“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, the LORD is the maker of them all.” Proverbs 22:1-2, NASB
Hard Work
Even though Proverbs warns us more than once not to wear ourselves out in pursuit of riches, it also emphasizes the importance of a good work ethic. There is also a measure of “work smarter, not just harder” in these verses, encouraging us to work at the most opportune time and to improve our skillset.
“Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house.” Proverbs 24:27, NASB
“Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” Proverbs 10:4-5, TLV
“He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.” Proverbs 12:11, NASB
“Plans of the diligent surely lead to gain, but all who are hasty come only to loss.” Proverbs 21:5, TLV
“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29, NASB
Wisdom
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In a classic example of God’s economy, we are told to seek wisdom instead of wealth… and then we come to find that wisdom leads to success on many different levels, often including our finances.
“Receive my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than jewels, nothing you desire compares with her.” Proverbs 8:10-11, TLV
“How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” Proverbs 16:16, NASB
“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise person’s dwelling, but a foolish person devours all he has.” Proverbs 21:20, TLV
“Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand.” Proverbs 19:21, NASB
“Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22, TLV
“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 11:14, NASB
Righteousness
Looking for a good insurance policy? Try righteousness! Of course we know that the righteous do experience trials and tribulations, but the principle here is that godly living ultimately brings God’s blessing.
“The house of the righteous has great wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.” Proverbs 15:6, TLV
“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28, TLV
“The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.” Proverbs 3:33, NASB
Being Satisfied & Content
As an important corollary to the three verses above, Proverbs also explains that contentment is a more important ingredient in prosperity than the actual quantity of your riches.
“Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9, NASB
“By the fruit of his mouth a man will be satisfied with good. The work of a man’s hands will reward him.” Proverbs 12:14, TLV
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.” Proverbs 13:4, NASB
“The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” Proverbs 19:23, NASB
Tithing & Generosity
Giving is one of the healthiest financial actions we can take. It breaks the power of greed in our lives. It allows us to be God’s blessing to someone in need. But perhaps most importantly, it is how we walk out our belief that God is in control and that He can make more out of what we have left over than we could have made if we hoarded our money.
“Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10, NASB
“There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:24-25, NASB
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” Proverbs 3:27, NASB
“He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” Proverbs 28:27, NASB
“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17, NASB
Greed
The thing about greed, Proverbs tells us, is that it generally results in the opposite of what it seeks. Greed is often a shortcut to poverty, and even when a greedy person succeeds in accumulating wealth, they will not find the fulfillment that they expected.
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Be wise enough to restrain yourself.” Proverbs 23:4, TLV
“A stingy man chases after riches, but does not know that poverty will overtake him.” Proverbs 28:22, TLV
“A faithful man will have many blessings, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:20, TLV
“A greedy soul stirs up strife, but one who trusts in Adonai prospers.” Proverbs 28:25, TLV
“All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2, NASB
Debt
Proverbs speaks bluntly about the danger of debt. It also has many verses that don’t mention debt directly, but which accurately describe modern, debt-fueled consumerism. Debt tends to be a shortcut that looks like a blessing at the time, but results in years of regret.
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Proverbs 22:7, NASB
“Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become guarantors for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?” Proverbs 22:26-27, NASB
“He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.” Proverbs 21:17, NASB
“It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.” Proverbs 10:22, NASB
