Proverbs Discussion - Chapter 13 - More Sayings On Befriending Wisdom; True Wealth And Other Sayings

This particular chapter has, amongst others, a variety of sayings on wealth that should remind us to seek the true wealth that is in Christ Jesus and not the bread that perishes. We should also be mindful of the words which we have been taught and the company we keep. There are other sayings as you will find below but these struck me as particularly salient.

1. Keep company with wisdom (Proverbs 13:1, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20). If we are wise and listen to instruction we will win favor (Proverbs 13:15), our life will be blessed (Proverbs 13:14) and we will be honored (Proverbs 13:18). If we keep company with the wise then we cannot help but to hear wise counsel so that "[w]hoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."(Proverbs 1:20 ESV).

2. Guard your gate (Proverbs 13:2, 3, 10). Our mouths act as gates for our thoughts, therefore we must stand watch over them at all times, for "[w]hoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3 ESV). We would do well to take this verse at face value, for at times our very lives can depend on what we say (or don't say). We should also watch that we do not talk back to those in authority over us (although perhaps a constructive word of disagreement in private or presented in a neutral matter may be helpful), for "by insolence comes nothing but strife." (Proverbs 13:10 ESV).

3. Sayings on wealth and work (Proverbs 13:4, 7, 8, 11, 18, 22, 23, 25). Those who are diligent in their work and righteous in their deeds do not suffer lack (Proverbs 13:4, 18, 25). Matthew Henry adds "[it] is the happiness of the righteous that they shall have enough and they know when they have enough." Also, on the slothful he says "they covet everything that is to be coveted, but will do nothing that is to be done..." (id). Righteousness is imperishable wealth that cannot be stolen whereas material wealth attracts thieves (Proverbs 13:7, 8, 22) (*see note below). Do not be hasty for gain but steady in your work and your wealth will steadily increase (Proverbs 13:11).


4. The benefits of righteousness (Proverbs 13:9). Righteousness brings joy (Proverbs 13:9). The lover of the commandments and the righteous man is rewarded (Proverbs 13:13; 21). A righteous man's inheritance is to his children's children and he receives the inheritance of the wicked (their gain, not their punishment) (Proverbs 13:22).

5. Spare the rod and spoil the child (Proverbs 13:24). This from Henry, "[t]hose really hate their children, though they pretend to be fond of them, that do not keep them under a strict discipline....They abandon them to their worst enemy, to the most dangerous disease, and therefore hate them."

Other proverbs: The righteous hates lies, unlike the wicked who brings shame and disgrace (Proverbs 13:5); A fulfilled desire is nourishing to the soul, though difficult to bear before its fulfillment (Proverbs 13:12, 19); Think before you act and be slow to speak lest you reveal yourself a fool (Proverbs 13:16); Wicked messengers shall suffer but faithful ones bring healing (Proverbs 13:17); The poor suffer loss through injustice (Proverbs 13:23).

*Proverbs 13:8 specifically provides "a poor man hears no threat." (ESV). I think we can apply this more generally and say that those who do not show off their riches (be they material possessions, blessed relationships or talents) do not stimulate covetousness amongst others. But beware, for the jealous man who cannot steal from you what he desires will consider destroying the person who has what he himself cannot possess.

** ESV=English Standard Version

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