Proverbs 11:28 Commentary and Bible Study

One reason that men lack generosity is that they trust in their riches and so are unwilling to part with them. When riches increase, a new limit is set on the minimum needed to be happy and secure, and they cannot lose them again without disappointment; this kills all generosity of spirit. But the generous man does not fear loss, because he looks to God to provide for his needs and not himself. To trust in riches is to make an idol of them and to credit them with powers they do not have. Riches are not capable of calming the troubled conscience, of removing the fear of death and judgment to come, or even of giving happiness in the present moment. The comfort they give comes from their potential to obtain good things in the future, but their spending power only exists in this world, and many unforeseen obstacles can arise to thwart their potential. Certainly the one who trusts in riches fails to trust in God, for he has transferred his trust from the Lord, who can work with or without means, to a particular means that he thinks can operate without God’s intervention. His faith in riches therefore excludes his faith in God. But the righteous flourish like lush green foliage. The sunshine of God’s goodness comes down on them and they expand in all directions. If they have riches, they use them for the Lord, but they do not place their trust in them. If they are poor, they give thanks to God for his provision for their basic needs.