Proverbs on Money -Earning, Giving, and Wisdom
Proverbs' teachings on money; five key principles. It establishes that money is a tool for good, a gift from God, and should be obtained through diligent work, rather than through "get-rich-quick" schemes. Individuals should never exploit the poor or attempt to bribe the wealthy, as both actions lead to ruin. Furthermore, seeking only enough money to meet daily needs, preventing both the forgetfulness of God through excess and the cursing of God through destitution. Finally, the paramount message is to be radically generous, trusting that God will provide and refresh those who give freely.
Deep Dive Podcast
Navigating Finances with Proverbs: A Study Guide
I. Overview of the Book of Proverbs and its Application
Purpose of Proverbs: The Book of Proverbs offers guidance on how to live life well, specifically by walking in alignment with God's design for the world. It presents general principles for how life works when lived according to divine wisdom.
General Principles, Not Guarantees: While Proverbs suggests that walking in alignment with God's design generally leads to positive outcomes, it acknowledges exceptions. It's not a promise that perfect living eliminates all difficulties.
Jesus as the Embodiment of Proverbs: Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of wisdom, forgiveness, and grace, who lived the principles of Proverbs perfectly.
Focus on Money: The study delves into the topic of money, highlighting its significant discussion within the Bible, particularly by Jesus in the Gospels. The aim is to gain awareness and practical steps for handling money in a godly way.
"Wound and Heal" Concept: Sermons, if done correctly, should both "wound" (call attention to areas needing change) and "heal" (show how God helps move towards fullness and wholeness). This framework applies to the discussion of money, prompting self-reflection and offering guidance.
II. Key Principles Regarding Money from Proverbs
Principle 1: Is Money Good or Bad? (Proverbs 10:22)
Money as a Gift: Money is intended by God to be good and a blessing, providing resources for self, family, friends, and those in need.
God Adds No Sorrow: God's blessing of wealth does not inherently come with sorrow.
Human Corruption of Money: Humans often introduce sorrow through their misuse or coveting of money.
Money as "Congealed Life": Money represents time and effort expended, a tangible form of one's life given for a purpose.
Positive Uses of Money: Examples include supporting mission work, reaching a global audience with the message of Jesus (via platforms like YouTube), and generally enabling good deeds.
Caution Against Idolatry: Money is meant to be a good tool, but it becomes a "bad god" when worshipped or prioritized above God.
"Love of Money" vs. Money Itself: The core issue is not money, but the love of money, which is identified as the root of all evil (1 Timothy, as corrected by the speaker).
John Wesley's Financial Wisdom: "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can" – emphasizing purposeful earning, saving, and radical generosity, not frivolous spending.
Principle 2: How Do I Get Money? (Proverbs 12:11)
Work as the Means: Proverbs assumes that money is primarily obtained through hard work.
Diligence Leads to Provision: Those who "work their land" (are diligent in their labor) will have "abundant food" (sufficient provision).
Warning Against "Chasing Fantasies": Pursuing "get-rich-quick schemes" or unrealistic ventures demonstrates a lack of sense and leads to lack, rather than prosperity.
Modern Equivalents: This principle applies to today's "get-rich-quick schemes" and the pursuit of fame without sustained effort (e.g., aspiring to be a YouTube star without enjoying the creative work).
Investment vs. Throwing Money Away: Encouragement to invest wisely rather than squander resources on improbable dreams.
Principle 3: What Should I Avoid When Making Money? (Proverbs 22:16, 22-23)
Do Not Oppress the Poor: It is explicitly forbidden to exploit the poor to increase one's wealth. This includes overt forms (like historical sharecropping or slavery) and more subtle ways of taking advantage of desperate individuals.
God's Vengeance for the Oppressed: God is deeply grieved by the oppression of the poor and will "take up their case and exact life for life," indicating severe consequences for oppressors.
Do Not Bribe the Rich: It is foolish to give gifts or bribes to the rich to gain advantage, as this often leads to the briber's own poverty. The wealthy, if immoral, will simply take the money without providing true benefit.
Reaping What You Sow: A foundational biblical principle that applies to financial dealings – unjust actions will eventually lead to negative outcomes.
Principle 4: What is "Enough" Money? (Proverbs 30:7-9)
Daily Bread: "Enough" money is defined as what is needed to meet daily necessities, ensuring one remembers God as the ultimate provider and does not curse Him due to lack. This echoes the prayer of Jesus.
Avoid Extreme Poverty and Riches: The prayer in Proverbs 30:7-9 asks for neither extreme poverty (which could lead to stealing and dishonoring God) nor extreme riches (which could lead to forgetting or disowning God).
Danger of Wealth: The speaker observes that the struggle to forget God due to abundant resources is often a more prevalent danger than cursing God due to extreme poverty. Wealth can foster self-sufficiency and a detachment from divine dependence.
Purpose of Excess: If one has excess, the next thought should be generosity, not simply accumulating more.
Principle 5: How Generous Should I Be? (Proverbs 11:24-25)
Radical Generosity: The proverb encourages being "radically, freely, generous."
Giving Leads to Gaining: "One person gives freely, yet gains even more." This is not a transactional exchange with God (prosperity gospel), but a natural blessing (sometimes material, often refreshing) that accompanies generosity.
Withholding Leads to Poverty: Conversely, "one who withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." Holding onto money tightly can lead to it holding onto you, preventing true freedom and prosperity.
"Whoever Refreshes Others Will Be Refreshed": Generosity brings internal and spiritual refreshment, a deeper blessing than mere material gain.
"Greater to Give Than to Receive": Echoes Jesus' teaching on selfless service (e.g., washing feet), highlighting the spiritual blessing of putting oneself at the lowest level to bless others.
Freedom from Money's Grasp: Generosity cultivates a detachment from the power of money, leading to a greater sense of freedom.
Father's Example: The speaker's personal anecdote about his father's radical generosity illustrates this principle in action.
Francis Chan's Example: The example of Francis Chan giving away all book proceeds reinforces radical generosity and trusting God for provision, even to the point of extreme sacrifice.
Mercy Church's Practice: The church's commitment to giving all collected funds to others, even without immediate financial need, exemplifies this principle on an organizational level.
III. Summary of Principles
Money is a gift from God, meant for good, but not to be worshipped.
Hard work is the primary means of acquiring money; avoid get-rich-quick schemes.
Do not oppress the poor or bribe the rich.
Seek enough money to meet daily needs, avoiding extremes of poverty or excessive wealth that lead to forgetting or cursing God.
Be radically generous; giving freely leads to refreshment and blessing, while withholding leads to poverty (spiritual and sometimes material).
Quiz: Understanding Money from Proverbs
Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences based on the provided text.
According to Proverbs 10:22, what is the intended nature of money, and what common human failing does the speaker highlight in relation to it?
Explain the concept of "congealed life" as it relates to money, and how does the speaker illustrate this concept using Mercy Church's mission work?
How does the text clarify the often misquoted biblical verse about money being the root of all evil? What is the actual "root" identified?
Based on Proverbs 12:11, what is the primary and assumed method for acquiring money, and what warning is given against "chasing fantasies"?
Provide two specific actions related to wealth that Proverbs 22:16, 22-23 explicitly warns against, and explain why these actions are problematic.
What does the prayer in Proverbs 30:7-9 suggest is the "enough" amount of money, and what two dangers does it seek to avoid?
According to the speaker's observation, which of the two dangers mentioned in Proverbs 30:7-9 (extreme poverty vs. extreme wealth) is more commonly a struggle for people? Why?
How does Proverbs 11:24-25 describe the outcome of radical generosity versus unduly withholding resources?
Explain how the speaker differentiates the biblical concept of "giving leads to gaining" from "prosperity gospel" theology.
What personal anecdote does the speaker share to illustrate the principle of radical generosity, and how did it shape his own perspective on money?
Answer Key
According to Proverbs 10:22, money is meant to be a good gift from God, a blessing that inherently adds no sorrow. However, the speaker highlights that humans often add sorrow with their money by misusing or coveting it, turning a good gift into a "bad god."
"Congealed life" means that money represents time and effort one has invested, essentially a part of one's life given away for a purpose. The speaker illustrates this by explaining how the generosity and financial contributions of Mercy Church members, which represent their "congealed life," enable $35,000 of mission work and global outreach via YouTube.
The text clarifies that the misquoted verse "money is the root of all evil" is incorrect. Paul actually states, "the love of money is the root of all evil." The core issue is therefore one's heart inclination and idolatrous attachment to money, not money itself.
Proverbs 12:11 assumes that the primary method for acquiring money is through hard work, comparing it to working one's land to get abundant food. It warns that "chasing fantasies" or get-rich-quick schemes demonstrates a lack of sense and will not lead to true prosperity.
Proverbs 22:16, 22-23 warns against two things: oppressing the poor to increase wealth and giving gifts (bribes) to the rich. Oppressing the poor is problematic because God is grieved by it and will exact severe consequences, while bribing the rich is foolish because it often leads to the briber's own poverty as the rich exploit them.
The prayer in Proverbs 30:7-9 suggests that "enough" money is what is needed to meet daily needs. It seeks to avoid two dangers: having too much wealth, which could lead one to disown or forget God, and becoming too poor, which could lead to stealing and dishonoring God's name.
The speaker's observation is that people more commonly struggle with having so much money that they forget God, rather than having so little that they curse God. He notes that those in desperate need often turn to God for provision, whereas the wealthy can become self-sufficient and live as if they are their own gods.
Proverbs 11:24-25 states that "one person gives freely, yet gains even more," implying that generosity leads to greater blessings or refreshment. Conversely, "another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty," indicating that holding onto resources tightly can paradoxically lead to a lack.
The speaker differentiates "giving leads to gaining" from prosperity gospel by emphasizing that it's not a transactional exchange with God where one gives in order to get back materially. Instead, giving is done because one has already been freely given to (in Jesus), and the "gain" or "refreshment" is often an intrinsic blessing of generosity, not just material return.
The speaker shares the anecdote of his father, who was "radically generous," frequently giving him $50 bills even when he was a full-fledged adult with a job. This shaped the speaker's perspective by showing him a "freedom" where money did not have a grasp on his father's heart, encouraging him to live with similar generosity.
Essay Format Questions
Discuss the speaker's assertion that "every sermon, if it's done right, will both wound us and heal us." How does this concept apply to the discussion of money in the sermon, and what specific examples of "wounding" and "healing" insights are provided regarding financial practices?
Analyze the paradox presented in Proverbs 10:22: "The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it," juxtaposed with the speaker's immediate follow-up: "Money is meant to be good, but it is a bad God." How does the sermon develop this tension, and what are the implications for a Christian's perspective on wealth?
The sermon presents five key principles for handling money derived from Proverbs. Choose three of these principles and elaborate on how they challenge common modern societal views or practices regarding wealth, work, or charity.
Examine the concept of "radical generosity" as presented in the sermon, drawing specifically on Proverbs 11:24-25 and the examples of John Wesley, the speaker's father, and Francis Chan. How does this concept differ from a "prosperity gospel" theology, and what are the intended outcomes for the generous individual and the community?
The speaker offers both biblical wisdom and personal observations regarding money. Discuss the interplay between scriptural teaching (Proverbs and other biblical references) and the speaker's personal experiences or observations. How do these two elements reinforce or illustrate the financial principles being taught?
Glossary of Key Terms
Book of Proverbs: A book in the Old Testament of the Bible containing collections of wisdom and moral teachings, offering guidance on how to live a wise and righteous life according to God's design.
"Wound and Heal" (Sermon Concept): The idea that an effective sermon should first expose areas of sin or misalignment in a person's life (wound) and then offer God's grace and direction for change and restoration (heal).
Proverbs 10:22: A specific verse stating, "The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it," used to introduce the dual nature of money as a potential good gift from God that can be corrupted by human misuse.
"Bad God" (in relation to money): A metaphor used to describe money when it is treated as an ultimate authority, source of security, or object of worship, rather than merely a tool or resource.
"Congealed Life": A metaphorical term (attributed to a scholar) that describes money as solidified time and effort; the tangible result of giving a part of one's life away through labor.
1 Timothy (misquoted verse): Refers to the common misquotation "money is the root of all evil." The speaker corrects this to "the love of money is the root of all evil," emphasizing the heart's disposition rather than the object itself.
John Wesley: An 18th-century Anglican cleric and theologian, known as a founder of Methodism. His quote "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can" is cited as a summary of biblical financial wisdom.
Proverbs 12:11: A verse stating, "Those who work their land have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense," used to illustrate the principle that hard work is the primary means of acquiring wealth.
"Chasing Fantasies": A phrase from Proverbs 12:11 referring to pursuing unrealistic or unsound ventures, especially "get-rich-quick schemes," which are depicted as foolish and unproductive.
Bernie Madoff: An American financier who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history, used as a modern example of "chasing fantasies" or get-rich-quick schemes that ultimately fail and cause widespread harm.
Proverbs 22:16, 22-23: Verses cautioning against oppressing the poor to increase wealth and giving gifts (bribes) to the rich, emphasizing God's judgment against such practices and the folly of seeking advantage through unethical means.
Sharecropper: Historically, a tenant farmer who gives a part of each crop as rent, often exploited through unfair agreements, used as an example of oppressing the poor.
Proverbs 30:7-9: A prayer asking God for "neither poverty nor riches," but only "daily bread," to avoid forgetting God due to wealth or cursing Him due to lack.
"Daily Bread": A biblical concept (echoed in the Lord's Prayer) representing sufficient provision for daily needs, highlighting dependence on God as the ultimate provider.
Dichotomy (Speaker's Observation): The speaker's critique of the idea that one can easily love God with much money or hate Him with little, arguing that the true struggle is often forgetting God when wealthy.
Proverbs 11:24-25: Verses advocating for radical generosity, stating that "one person gives freely, yet gains even more" and "whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
"Radically, Freely, Generous": The sermon's encouragement to give without reservation or expectation of direct return, prioritizing the needs of others.
Prosperity Gospel: A theological belief that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for believers, and that faith, positive speech, and donations will increase one's material wealth. The speaker explicitly rejects this.
"Greater to Give Than to Receive": A teaching of Jesus (Acts 20:35) emphasized in the sermon, highlighting the spiritual blessing and fulfillment found in selfless service and giving.
Francis Chan: A well-known author and pastor, cited for his commitment to give all proceeds from his book "Crazy Love" to others, demonstrating radical generosity and trust in God's provision.
