This is Spoken Gospel.

We are dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light on
Jesus and His Gospel.

Let’s jump in.

Proverb’s teaching about money might 
be one of the most misunderstood.

It can seem like Solomon is saying 
that wise people always get rich  

and poverty can always be 
blamed on people’s foolishness.

For example: “Lazy hands make for 
poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth”.

In fact, Lady Wisdom promises, “With me are 
riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity”.

But as we’ve said before, proverbs are
not promises.

While it’s often true that wise people get rich and foolish
people become poor, that’s not always guaranteed.

Solomon understands that 
poverty is not always a choice,  

but often the fault of crooked people 
taking advantage of loopholes in the system.

He also knows foolish people still get rich, even 
if he believes that wealth will soon disappear.

The understanding of wealth and 
poverty in Proverbs is nuanced  

even while it holds out the ideal of 
generously compensating hard, wise work.

But the most interesting thing Proverbs says about
money is that it’s not enough.

Our money is always under threat.

Whether from market forces or ransom
notes, money carries a unique burden.

Besides that, money can’t save 
us from natural disasters,  

stock-market crashes, war, 
or the death of loved ones.

Money is not enough, so we shouldn’t 
wear ourselves out trying to get wealth.

A wise man named Agur asked God to 
give him “neither poverty nor riches”.

Agur recognized that both too much wealth 
and too much poverty are dangerous.

Wealth makes it easy to forget God, while 
poverty makes it easy to dishonor him.

A helpful way to summarize everything
Proverbs says about money is this:

“Wise people don’t look for money.
Wise people look for wisdom.

And while it’s not guaranteed,
money often follows.”

This is Solomon’s story.

In 1 Kings 3 Solomon is given a choice.

He can receive any gift he wants from God, but instead
of choosing power or money he chooses wisdom.

God responds to Solomon’s request for 
wisdom by giving him what he asked for,  

but also the gift of wealth 
and power he didn’t request.

That’s the whole teaching of 
Proverbs applied to money:

“Get wisdom … and she will exalt you; embrace her,
and she will honor you”.

This is also the teaching of Jesus.

Speaking to a crowd of people anxious
about their next meal, he tells them to

“seek first  his kingdom and his righteousness
and all these things will be given to you as well”.

Food is not enough;
it's always under threat.

Even if Jesus fills people, they will be hungry tomorrow—
which is exactly what Jesus says after he feeds the 5,000.

More important than food or money is the
wisdom that Jesus offers.

Jesus left his home of infinite abundance and 
wealth to live and create a Kingdom with us.

To most it’s foolishness to trade a position 
in God’s palace to die a servant’s death.

But Jesus’ willingness to give up everything ensures that
anyone who trusts in the wisdom of his poverty 
will become rich in his Kingdom.

It will always seem like we have 
neither enough money nor food.

But when we look for and believe Jesus’ wisdom, 
we get the riches of Jesus’ resurrection.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to 
see the God who makes the wise wealthy.

And may you see Jesus who makes 
the poor, rich and the foolish wise.