All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. All day longThis phrase emphasizes the continuous and relentless nature of the action being described. In the Hebrew context, the idea of "all day long" suggests a habitual or ongoing behavior, indicating that the person is consumed by their desires. This relentless pursuit of more is a reflection of a heart that is never satisfied, echoing the broader biblical theme that earthly desires can never truly fulfill the soul. he covets more
The Hebrew root for "covets" is "חָמַד" (chamad), which means to desire or lust after something. This word often carries a negative connotation in the Bible, associated with greed and envy. The act of coveting is not just a simple desire but an intense longing for what one does not have, often leading to sin. In the context of Proverbs, this behavior is contrasted with the wisdom and contentment that come from a righteous life. but the righteous
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיק" (tsaddiq), which refers to someone who is just, virtuous, and in right standing with God. The righteous person is characterized by their alignment with God's will and their commitment to living according to His commandments. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, righteousness is often associated with wisdom, integrity, and a life that reflects God's character. give without restraint
The phrase "give without restraint" highlights the generosity and selflessness of the righteous. The Hebrew concept of giving is deeply rooted in the idea of charity and kindness, often seen as a reflection of God's own generosity. The righteous person, in contrast to the one who covets, finds joy and fulfillment in giving freely and abundantly. This behavior is not just about the act of giving but reflects a heart that trusts in God's provision and seeks to bless others. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Covetous PersonThis individual is characterized by an insatiable desire for more, driven by selfishness and greed. The Hebrew word for "covets" ('avah) implies a longing or craving that is never satisfied. 2. The RighteousIn contrast to the covetous, the righteous person is generous and selfless. The Hebrew word for "righteous" (tzaddik) denotes someone who is just, virtuous, and aligned with God's will. 3. The Act of GivingThe righteous give "without restraint," indicating a heart of generosity and trust in God's provision. This act is not limited by fear of lack but is abundant and free. Teaching Points The Danger of CovetousnessCovetousness leads to a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction and spiritual emptiness. It is important to guard our hearts against the desire for more material possessions. The Blessing of GenerosityGenerosity is a hallmark of the righteous. It reflects trust in God's provision and a heart aligned with His purposes. We are called to give freely and joyfully. Contentment in ChristTrue contentment is found in Christ, not in material wealth. By focusing on our relationship with God, we can overcome the temptation to covet and instead live a life of generosity. Trusting God's ProvisionThe righteous give without fear of lack because they trust in God's provision. This trust allows them to be open-handed and generous, knowing that God will supply all their needs. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the covetous nature described in Proverbs 21:26 manifest in today's society, and what are some practical ways to combat it? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a heart of generosity like the righteous person in Proverbs 21:26? 3. How does the concept of contentment in Christ help us to resist the temptation of covetousness? 4. Reflect on a time when you gave generously. How did it impact your faith and trust in God's provision? 5. How can the teachings of Jesus in Luke 12:15 inform our understanding of Proverbs 21:26 and our approach to material possessions? Connections to Other Scriptures Ecclesiastes 5:10This verse highlights the futility of loving money and the insatiable nature of greed, similar to the covetous person in Proverbs 21:26. 2 Corinthians 9:7Paul encourages believers to give cheerfully, which aligns with the righteous giving without restraint in Proverbs 21:26. Luke 12:15Jesus warns against all kinds of greed, emphasizing that life does not consist in an abundance of possessions, which connects to the covetous nature described in Proverbs 21:26. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Covet, Coveteth, Covets, Craving, Desire, Desired, Desiring, Freely, Gives, Giveth, Goes, Greedily, Hold, Keeping, Nothing, Righteous, Sinner, Spareth, Sparing, Upright, Wicked, Withhold, WithholdethDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 21:25-26 5539 sluggard Library Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and HabitualEpistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy. Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 21:26 NIVProverbs 21:26 NLTProverbs 21:26 ESVProverbs 21:26 NASBProverbs 21:26 KJV
Proverbs 21:26 Commentaries
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