The Way of Wisdom: A Study of the Book of ProverbsSample

(This day of study was written by Elizabeth Woodson.)

If we are honest, conversations about wealth in church can sometimes make us uncomfortable. Whether it’s because we believe our spending and earning habits are personal matters, we are in a season of financial hardship, or we distrust our church’s financial management practices, sermons about money tend not to be popular or plentiful. However, in Proverbs, King Solomon takes a different approach.

In 1 Kings 10, we learn that Solomon “surpassed all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom” (v. 23). God had blessed Solomon with so much wisdom that people from all around the world would come to learn from him. They would then express their gratitude by sharing an overflow of their riches with him. As you read through 1 Kings 10, it becomes clear that wealth is something Solomon had a lot of, and so it makes sense that Proverbs is full of wisdom about how to handle it.

In fact, wealth is one of the topics he discusses the most, and the wisdom he provides frames wealth as a positive blessing from God that is the fruit of diligent work. However, he also emphasizes that we should remember to whom our wealth truly belongs. Throughout the book, Solomon warns about how easy it is to make wealth an idol, trusting in it for our sense of security and identity. And make no mistake: idols always take more from us than they will ever give.

As we read through these proverbs, it’s important for us to remember that while we tend to associate wealth with financial extravagance or abundance, this was not necessarily the meaning during Solomon’s day. Many of the proverbs on wealth contrast it with poverty, so a more accurate interpretation is not the idea of extravagance but sufficiency.1 In Proverbs, the wealthy person is one who has more than enough to meet her needs.

Today, we will examine how we should view our wealth, learning how a wise perspective of wealth begins by acknowledging the One from whom it comes.

Proverbs 10:22 tells us that God is the ultimate source of our wealth. And in Proverbs 30:8-9 we see the wisdom writer ask God not to be wealthy! Why? “Otherwise, I might have too much and deny you, saying, ‘Who is the Lord?’” (v. 9a).

Wealth cannot rescue us from death (prov. 11:4), it cannot fulfill our hopes (prov. 11:7), and it cannot last forever (prov. 27:24).

What is better than obtaining wealth in an unwise way? According to many of the proverbs we read today, fearing the Lord, and living with integrity, righteousness, and humility are far more desirable than prestige, riches, or success.

In what ways have you been tempted to find your identity in material possessions?

What is the danger of this type of perspective?

A wise perspective of wealth leads us to remember that we are not the ultimate owners of our material possessions. All of what we have belongs to God, and while He is limitless, the power and reach of our wealth is not. Wisdom invites us to rightly value our money, not using it to provide what only God can—things like our identity, purpose, and sense of security. So whether we, like the apostle Paul, are “in abundance or in need” (Phil. 4:12), our limitless God will help us have a contentment that overflows into transformational generosity.