Money
is a needful commodity in life. We give up part of life to gain it. Yet it is
one of the things in life that has been grossly abused. Because money is part
and parcel of life, there is a tendency to put our trust in it rather than in
God. The Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil. Here in Proverbs 11:27-29 we see another
passage dealing with the issue of wrong perspective on wealth. Here are some
observations concerning the flaw of putting our trust in wealth.
Firstly,
making wealth one’s sole pursuit blurs the worthy goals of life. One of the
worthy goals in life is to pursue healthy and meaningful relationship with
others, especially the people who matter to us. We should have their welfare at
heart even as we acquire wealth. But when we acquire wealth to the exclusion of
the welfare of those we love, we already have a misplaced priority. To seek
wealth without any regard for the welfare of people we love can land us in
trouble. It is true that a person who makes wealth his sole pursuit often ends
up scheming evil to acquire them. The sad end is that he will end up with evil
shadowing him. He finds himself rich but depleted of good friends.
Secondly,
making riches one’s sole trust will lead to one’s moral downfall. In no
uncertain term, we are told that “He who trust in his riches will fall.” This
attitude toward wealth will lead one’s heart astray. Wealth can never save a
person from the consequences of his bad deeds. It can never save him in the day
of accounting. Whereas one who is righteous, who will definitely have a proper
perspective concerning wealth, will prosper. The green leaf is a symbol of
prosperity, not necessarily in material goods but in character and grace. This
reminds us of the blessed man in Psalm, the leaves of his tree will never
wither.
Thirdly,
making riches one’s sole trust will result in being oppressed by greed. The
first part of verse 29 says, “He
who troubles his own house will inherit wind….” A person, whom the family members rely on to
provide the bread, will bring worry, anxiety and troubles to them when he fails
to do so. To inherit wind is to become worthless and empty. In other words,
such a person is not useful to the family. He may have hoarded wealth but he is
of no value to those that need him. Failing to steward his resources entrusted
to him, he ends up with nothing but in bondage to the wise. His wealth will be
inherited by them.
In verses 30-31, Solomon returns to
talk about the blessings of the righteous and the consequence of the wicked.
The righteous is like a tree that refreshes others. Living by his righteous
principles he makes impact on those around him. He wins souls in the sense that
he attracts others with his positive character and imparts life to them. It is
difficult not to be a delight to those he has attracted by his life. On the
other hand, the wicked will have his full and just desert. If God will reward
the righteous, He will definitely recompense the evil. Let’s have a right
perspective concerning wealth and more importantly, let’s live righteously for
the greater glory of God.
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