Proverbs 28:6 Commentary and Bible Study

A similar proverb is found in chapter 19:1 and, though translated differently, the Hebrew is identical in the first half of the verse. But while the thought there is about integrity as a factor in friendship, here it is about how people are prepared to cut corners in order to get an advantage in this world. The Bible nowhere teaches that prosperity is in itself an evil thing, but for many the temptation to become prosperous is so strong that they will use any means to get there. Those who love this world too much set little value on righteousness and holiness, and therefore Solomon compares two cases in which we are forced to choose between these and earthly gain. Which do we value more highly? If riches come, we use them for the work of the Lord primarily, and we give thanks, but it is better to remain poor, facing hardship in life, and suffering some degree of want, than to lie and defraud and bully our way to riches. The poor man who reveres God has a much greater treasure than the rich. What he has he may keep to eternal life and it will not be taken from him. What he has, he enjoys with a good conscience. He has received it from the Lord and he can give thanks to God for it. It is given to him to enjoy as a token of God’s Favour towards him. But the conscience of the rich man eats away at him even as he looks at his riches. They are the evidence against him because of the means he employed to acquire them. As James says, ‘the rust of them shall be a witness against you’ (James 5:3). Is it worth obtaining riches by these means when we can enjoy them for such a short time, with such disturbed pleasure, and lose the treasures which last forever and come with God’s approval?