Proverbs 21:20 Commentary and Bible Study

The treasure that exists in the dwelling of the wise is something which he has obtained by honest means, by diligent work, and is the Lord’s reward given him to enjoy. It is the fruit of his labour. We need not imagine this treasure is gold or silver, for the terms used to describe it are close enough to verse 17 for a comparison to be made. There the oil and wine are something which the fool has gone after as the source of all happiness, but here they are something given to the one who seeks first the kingdom of heaven. These are treasures which any ordinary person working in an agricultural economy might acquire. The believer is content with what God has allowed him to gain through legitimate means and he gives thanks. He will use such things wisely to feed his family and to help others who are in need. But in the proverb, somehow the fool has got his hands on this treasure and this oil that belongs to the wise and he does not know how to handle it. This is not about one who takes the property of the wise away from them by force or by deception, but is a comparison between two very different ways of handling the same thing. The fool is perhaps a son or daughter who has grown up in the household and inherited what belonged to their deceased parents. How will they handle this suddenly acquired wealth which they have not worked for? The child in mind does not know what to do with this treasure, and gluts himself on it, spending it at once and gulping it down as it were. The product of all that hard work and prudent stewardship of goods which has potential to provide food for long into the future is gone in a moment. This son does not know how to manage his good even in this world in a wise way. How much less does he know how to look after his spiritual good!