Proverbs:
Wisdom About
Wealth
Adapted from “Proverbs: Wisdom for Living”
a Discover Life series from
Faith Alive Christian Resources (www.faithaliveresources.com)
Key ideas . . .
• Accumulation of wealth is not evil, but neither
is it the most important thing in life.
• We can increase our wealth by hard work,
careful planning, generous giving, and fearing
God.
• Wealth pursued from the wrong motives or in
the wrong ways will not last.
• Recognize our wealth comes from God and
honor Him with it.
• God will help us enjoy wealth, in proper
perspective, when we ask His help and seek
to honor Him.
How do you picture someone who is
wealthy?
What is wealth according to
Proverbs 3:13-16?
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man
who gains understanding, for she is more
profitable than silver and yields better returns
than gold. She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her. Long
life is in her hand; in her left hand are riches
and honor.
Ever heard the phrase “money isn’t
everything?” Do you agree? What is
more important than wealth? Why?
A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a
poor man hears no threat.” Proverbs 13:8
What effect can wealth have on our lives?
“Money is not everything. In fact, it brings
problems of its own.”
What problems does wealth bring with it?
How?
In the following Proverbs, what
principles are given for increasing
wealth?
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk
leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23
In the following Proverbs, what
principles are given for increasing
wealth?
He who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will never be
rich. Proverbs 21:17
How is it that a generous man can get
rich while a stingy person will not?
One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to
poverty. A generous man will prosper; he
who refreshes others will himself be
refreshed. People curse the man who
hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who
is willing to sell. Proverbs 11:24-26
When, according to the Proverbs below,
is it dangerous to pursue wealth, and
why?
Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.
Proverbs 23:4
A faithful man will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go
unpunished. Proverbs 28:20
Talking
Point
“Proverbs warns against putting up
‘security’ that could exhaust one’s
resources.”
The Bible refers to security as a
guarantee for a debt or other obligation
for another.
Talking
Point
For example, a man might pledge to
give the lender his house and lands if
he could not pay the debt back.
Proverbs warns against putting up
security that could exhaust all one’s
resources.
Why according to Proverbs 22:26-27, is
putting up security a bad idea?
Do not be a man who strikes hands in
pledge or puts up security for debts; if you
lack the means to pay, your very bed will be
snatched from under you.
Talking
Point
“Accumulation of wealth is not
condemned, but how one gets the
wealth is important.”
What will eventually happen to money
gotten by dishonest means?
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he
who gathers money little by little makes it
grow. Proverbs 13:11
What will eventually happen to money
gotten by dishonest means?
A fortune made by a lying tongue is a
fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
Proverbs 21:6
What will eventually happen to money
gotten by dishonest means?
He who oppresses the poor to increase his
wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich –
both come to poverty. Proverbs 22:16
What role does God play in our
accumulation of wealth? How should
our financial goals be influenced by
knowing that wealth comes from God?
Let’s look at Proverbs 11:24-26 again.
How can someone honor God with his
or her wealth?
One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to
poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who
refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
People curse the man who hoards grain, but
blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.
Talking
Point
Let’s review the main points…
• Accumulation of wealth is not evil, but neither is it the
most important thing in life.
• We can increase our wealth by hard work, careful
planning, generous giving, and fearing God.
• Wealth pursued from the wrong motives or in the wrong
ways will not last.
• Recognize our wealth comes from God and honor Him
with it.
• God will help us enjoy wealth, in proper perspective,
when we ask His help and seek to honor Him.
This presentation was developed by
Barnabas Foundation (www.barnabasfoundation.com)
and adapted from “Proverbs: Wisdom for Living”
a Discover Life series from
Faith Alive Christian Resources (www.faithaliveresources.com)