20The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.
There are two types of shoppers in this world: those who like to take their time and seek out the best deals, and those who impulsively buy what they want immediately. You can probably immediately identify right now which category you fall under. Human nature favors impulsivity, while wisdom teaches that there is a better way. Wisdom teaches us not to impulsively buy everything we want and spend every bit of our paychecks, but to save instead so that we can be generous toward people.
Proverbs 21 tells us how to handle our finances wisely. This passage of Scripture says, “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (verse 20). It is unwise, even foolish, according to this passage of Scripture, not to save, but instead to spend everything we have. On the flipside, those who are wise have wealth. Why? They understand the importance of saving. Instead of buying everything that they want, they save.
Now, we save money not for the purpose of growing and growing our bank accounts. We save because saving allows us to be the generous people that we talked about being during our Bible study time together yesterday. Saving gives us extra margin to be generous not only toward God, but also toward others. Proverbs 21:26 says, “Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give.” I have heard it said that for the greedy, the answer to the question, “How much is enough money?” is “A little bit more.” For the greedy, they will never have enough. The greedy will never practice generosity because they feel that they need everything for themselves. Those who understand life is about more than accumulating wealth for themselves will save in order to be able to practice generosity. After all, saving is the only way to have an extra margin to be the kind of generous people we want to be.
I believe we all want to be generous people. We cannot be generous people if we do not save, but instead spend everything we get. Let’s be people who save wisely, not for the sole purpose of amassing wealth. Let’s save so that we can be incredibly generous as the opportunities and needs arise.
Moving toward action
When it comes to stewarding your finances wisely, how do you need to grow? Do you need to focus on saving? If so, think of one purchase you have planned to make that you can put off. If you have been saving, maybe you need to practice generosity today. If so, take a step toward generosity today out of the abundance God has given you.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, You have been so generous toward me. As I seek to be generous toward others, guide me…”
Going deeper
1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
he guides it wherever he pleases.
2People may be right in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their heart.
3The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just
than when we offer him sacrifices.
4Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
and evil actions are all sin.
5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
6Wealth created by a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.[1]
7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
8The guilty walk a crooked path;
the innocent travel a straight road.
9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
10Evil people desire evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
12The Righteous One[2] knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
he will bring disaster on them.
13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.
14A secret gift calms anger;
a bribe under the table pacifies fury.
15Justice is a joy to the godly,
but it terrifies evildoers.
16The person who strays from common sense
will end up in the company of the dead.
17Those who love pleasure become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
18The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
and traitors in place of the honest.
19It’s better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
20The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.
23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.
24Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.
25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.
26Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!
27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
28A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.
29The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.
30No human wisdom or understanding or plan
can stand against the Lord.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Translation notes (2)
- 21:6 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads mist for those who seek death.
- 21:12 Or The righteous man.
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