◄ Job 31:25 ►
if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,
Study Bible
if I have rejoiced
The Hebrew word for "rejoiced" is "שָׂמַח" (samach), which conveys a sense of joy or delight. In the context of Job, this word suggests an introspective examination of one's heart and motives. Job is reflecting on whether he has allowed material wealth to become a source of pride or joy, which would be contrary to the teachings of humility and reliance on God. This introspection is crucial in understanding the biblical perspective that true joy should be rooted in spiritual, not material, wealth.

in my great wealth
The phrase "great wealth" in Hebrew is "חַיִל רַב" (chayil rav), indicating not just abundance but also strength and power. In ancient times, wealth was often equated with power and influence. Job's acknowledgment of his wealth serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that material possessions are temporary and should not be the foundation of one's identity or security. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes stewardship and the responsible use of resources for God's glory rather than personal aggrandizement.

because my hand had gained
The phrase "my hand had gained" uses the Hebrew "יָדִי מָצְאָה" (yadi matza'ah), which implies personal effort and achievement. Job is considering whether he has attributed his success to his own efforts rather than recognizing God's providence. This reflects a broader biblical theme that while human effort is necessary, it is ultimately God who grants success. The conservative Christian view encourages believers to work diligently but to always give glory to God for their accomplishments, acknowledging His sovereignty over all aspects of life.

so much
The Hebrew word "כָּל" (kol) means "all" or "so much," emphasizing the extent of Job's wealth. This phrase highlights the potential for wealth to become an idol, a common biblical warning. The conservative Christian perspective teaches that while wealth itself is not inherently evil, the love of money can lead to spiritual downfall. Job's self-examination serves as a model for believers to regularly assess their priorities and ensure that their devotion to God surpasses any attachment to material possessions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.

2. Uz
The land where Job lived. It is often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.

3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up arguing with him about the reasons for his suffering.

4. God
The Almighty, who ultimately speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, providing divine perspective on Job's trials.

5. Satan
The adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride in Wealth
Wealth can lead to pride and self-reliance, distancing us from God. Job's refusal to rejoice in his wealth serves as a model for humility.

True Source of Security
Our security should not be in material possessions but in our relationship with God. Job's integrity highlights the importance of placing trust in God rather than in wealth.

Contentment and Gratitude
Job's attitude encourages believers to find contentment in God's provision and to be grateful for what they have, rather than constantly seeking more.

Integrity in Prosperity
Maintaining integrity and righteousness in times of prosperity is crucial. Job's example shows that wealth should not compromise our moral and spiritual values.

Eternal Perspective
Focusing on eternal values rather than temporary riches aligns with biblical teachings. Job's perspective encourages believers to prioritize spiritual wealth over material gain.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's attitude towards wealth challenge our modern views on success and prosperity?

2. In what ways can we guard against the temptation to find our identity in material possessions?

3. How can we apply Job's example of integrity in our own lives, especially when we experience financial success?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our security and trust remain in God rather than in our wealth?

5. How do other scriptures, such as those in Proverbs and the New Testament, reinforce the message found in Job 31:25 about wealth and integrity?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 11:28
This verse warns against trusting in riches, similar to Job's declaration of not rejoicing in wealth.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, aligning with Job's attitude towards wealth.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Paul advises the wealthy not to be arrogant or to put their hope in wealth, but to be rich in good deeds, echoing Job's sentiments.
Sermons
Guard the SensesGurnall, WilliamJob 31:1-32
Methods of Moral LifeJoseph Parker, D. D.Job 31:1-32
Solemn Assurances of InnocenceE. Johnson Job 31:1-40
The Consciousness of IntegrityR. Green Job 31:1-40
On the Love of MoneyT. Chalmers, D. D.Job 31:24-28
The Worship of WealthCanon Liddon.Job 31:24-28
People
Abaddon, Adam, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Abundance, Fortune, Gained, Glad, Gloated, Got, Gotten, Hands, Rejoice, Rejoiced, Secured, Store, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 31:24-25

     5399   luxury
     5591   treasure
     8032   trust, lack of

Job 31:24-28

     4333   gold
     5558   storing
     5941   secrecy
     8780   materialism, and sin
     8840   unfaithfulness, to God

Job 31:25-28

     8779   materialism, nature of

Library
Thou Shalt not Steal.
This Commandment also has a work, which embraces very many good works, and is opposed to many vices, and is called in German Mildigkeit, "benevolence;" which is a work ready to help and serve every one with one's goods. And it fights not only against theft and robbery, but against all stinting in temporal goods which men may practise toward one another: such as greed, usury, overcharging and plating wares that sell as solid, counterfeit wares, short measures and weights, and who could tell all the …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

Question of the Active Life
I. Do all Acts of the Moral Virtues come under the Active Life? II. Does Prudence pertain to the Active Life? III. Does Teaching belong to the Active or to the Contemplative Life? IV. Does the Active Life continue after this Life? I Do all Acts of the Moral Virtues come under the Active Life? S. Isidore says[407]: "In the active life all the vices are first of all to be removed by the practice of good works, so that in the contemplative life a man may, with now purified mental gaze, pass to the …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Whether virtue is in us by Nature?
Objection 1: It would seem that virtue is in us by nature. For Damascene says (De Fide Orth. iii, 14): "Virtues are natural to us and are equally in all of us." And Antony says in his sermon to the monks: "If the will contradicts nature it is perverse, if it follow nature it is virtuous." Moreover, a gloss on Mat. 4:23, "Jesus went about," etc., says: "He taught them natural virtues, i.e. chastity, justice, humility, which man possesses naturally." Objection 2: Further, the virtuous good consists …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether after Christ, it was Proper to the Blessed virgin to be Sanctified in the Womb?
Objection 1: It would seem that it was proper for the Blessed Virgin, after Christ, to be sanctified in the womb. For it has been said [4131](A[4]) that the Blessed Virgin was sanctified in the womb, in order that she might be worthy to be the mother of God. But this is proper to her. Therefore she alone was sanctified in the womb. Objection 2: Further, some men seem to have been more closely connected with Christ than Jeremias and John the Baptist, who are said to have been sanctified in the womb. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Corporal Alms are of More Account than Spiritual Alms?
Objection 1: It would seem that corporal alms are of more account than spiritual alms. For it is more praiseworthy to give an alms to one who is in greater want, since an almsdeed is to be praised because it relieves one who is in need. Now the body which is relieved by corporal alms, is by nature more needy than the spirit which is relieved by spiritual alms. Therefore corporal alms are of more account. Objection 2: Further, an alms is less praiseworthy and meritorious if the kindness is compensated, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Confession is According to the Natural Law?
Objection 1: It would seem that confession is according to the natural law. For Adam and Cain were bound to none but the precepts of the natural law, and yet they are reproached for not confessing their sin. Therefore confession of sin is according to the natural law. Objection 2: Further, those precepts which are common to the Old and New Law are according to the natural law. But confession was prescribed in the Old Law, as may be gathered from Is. 43:26: "Tell, if thou hast anything to justify …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether one Can, Without a Mortal Sin, Deny the Truth which Would Lead to One's Condemnation?
Objection 1: It would seem one can, without a mortal sin, deny the truth which would lead to one's condemnation. For Chrysostom says (Hom. xxxi super Ep. ad Heb.): "I do not say that you should lay bare your guilt publicly, nor accuse yourself before others." Now if the accused were to confess the truth in court, he would lay bare his guilt and be his own accuser. Therefore he is not bound to tell the truth: and so he does not sin mortally if he tell a lie in court. Objection 2: Further, just as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Advanced Christian Reminded of the Mercies of God, and Exhorted to the Exercise of Habitual Love to Him, and Joy in Him.
1. A holy joy in God, our privilege as well as our duty.--2. The Christian invited to the exercise of it.--3. By the consideration of temporal mercies.--4. And of spiritual favors.--5. By the views of eternal happiness.--6. And of the mercies of God to others, the living and the dead.--7. The chapter closes with an exhortation to this heavenly exercise. And with an example of the genuine workings of this grateful joy in God. 1. I WOULD now suppose my reader to find, on an examination of his spiritual …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

The Christian Business World
Scripture references: Proverbs 22:29; Romans 12:11; Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 49:6,10,16,17; 62:10; Matthew 13:22; Mark 10:23,24; Job 31:24-26; Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 25:14-30; 24:45-51; 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21. THE IDEAL IN THE BUSINESS WORLD There is often a wide difference between the methods actually employed in doing business and when they should be. Good men who are in the thick of the battle of competition and rivalry with other firms in the same line of trade, are the quickest …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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