Often we use nuggets of wisdom from Proverbs in our daily conversations and interactions with others. King Solomon in his early reign is given credit for most of these wise sayings of how to live a godly life with prudence and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 sets the tone by telling us that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The writer of Proverbs toggles back and forth between the foolish and the wise, comparing the choices and outcomes of each. Let’s take a look at three areas addressed in this chapter: words, work, and wealth.

 Regarding words, verse 4 tells us, “The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.” What is in our heart will make its way out of our mouths. Our words will either build up or tear down; they will edify or destroy. Matthew, in his gospel, said it this way, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). What marks our words? Does quarreling, gossip, and negativity mark our speech, or do our words nourish and satisfy the soul? For the Christ-follower, we’ve been given a divine filter through the Holy Spirit Who teaches us all things, including how to use our words to make life-giving, eternal deposits into the lives of others. 

With regard to work, Proverbs 18:9 declares, “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things” (NLT). It is easy to fall into lazy patterns of living. In the workplace, laziness can spread like cancer. On-the-job slothfulness is evidence of selfishness and entitlement, but God’s Word compares it to one who brings destruction. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages us to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Christians should show up with the best attitudes, be the hardest workers on the job, all while incorporating quality in their efforts to edify Christ. Do you add value to your workplace?

As to the Proverbs’ commentary on wealth, verse 11 observes, “The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety” (NLT). The Enduring Word Bible Commentary explains, “Wealth does afford a measure of protection, but the danger of wealth is precisely that it gives its possessor the illusion of greater security than it can provide” (Garrett). Instead of trusting in wealth, the wise trust that “the name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (v.10). Our trinkets and treasures often reveal where our heart is. Wealth is fleeting; God is eternal. Matthew 6:24 states, “You cannot serve both God and money.” In the end, how we live generously and use our resources to further God’s kingdom will be all that matters.