A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. A faithful manThe Hebrew word for "faithful" is "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah), which conveys a sense of steadfastness, reliability, and trustworthiness. In the biblical context, faithfulness is a key attribute of God's character, and it is expected of His followers. A faithful man is one who consistently adheres to God's commandments and lives a life of integrity. This faithfulness is not just in religious observance but in all aspects of life, including relationships, work, and community involvement. The faithful man reflects God's own faithfulness, and as a result, he is a vessel through which God's blessings can flow. will abound with blessings
The phrase "will abound with blessings" suggests an overflowing or abundance of good things. The Hebrew word for "blessings" is "בְּרָכוֹת" (berakhot), which encompasses both material and spiritual prosperity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, blessings were often seen as tangible signs of God's favor, including health, wealth, and peace. However, the biblical understanding of blessings goes beyond material wealth to include spiritual richness, such as joy, peace, and fulfillment. The faithful man's life is marked by these blessings because he aligns himself with God's will and purposes, allowing divine favor to manifest in his life. but one eager to be rich
The phrase "eager to be rich" highlights a desire or pursuit of wealth that is driven by greed or covetousness. The Hebrew root "חָפֵץ" (chafetz) implies a strong desire or longing. In the biblical narrative, the pursuit of wealth for its own sake is often warned against, as it can lead to moral compromise and spiritual downfall. The eagerness to be rich can become an idol, replacing God as the primary focus of one's life. This pursuit is contrasted with the faithfulness of the first part of the verse, suggesting that the desire for wealth can lead one away from a life of integrity and trust in God. will not go unpunished
The phrase "will not go unpunished" serves as a warning of the consequences of prioritizing wealth over faithfulness. The Hebrew word "עָנַשׁ" (anash) means to be punished or held accountable. In the biblical worldview, God is just and righteous, and He holds individuals accountable for their actions. The pursuit of wealth at the expense of faithfulness leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. This punishment is not necessarily immediate or obvious, but it is certain. The verse serves as a reminder that God's justice will prevail, and those who forsake His ways for the sake of riches will ultimately face the consequences of their choices. Persons / Places / Events 1. Faithful ManRepresents individuals who are steadfast, trustworthy, and consistent in their walk with God. The Hebrew word for "faithful" is (emunah), which conveys a sense of firmness and reliability. 2. Eager to be RichRefers to those who prioritize wealth accumulation over integrity and righteousness. This eagerness often leads to moral compromise and spiritual downfall. 3. BlessingsIn the context of Proverbs, blessings often refer to both material and spiritual prosperity that comes from living a life aligned with God's principles. 4. PunishmentThe consequences faced by those who pursue wealth at the expense of their moral and spiritual values. This can include both temporal and eternal repercussions. Teaching Points The Value of FaithfulnessFaithfulness is a key virtue in the Christian life, leading to God's blessings. It involves being reliable and steadfast in our commitments to God and others. The Danger of GreedThe pursuit of wealth can lead to moral compromise and spiritual ruin. Christians are called to prioritize their relationship with God over material gain. Blessings Beyond Material WealthWhile blessings can include material prosperity, they also encompass spiritual growth, peace, and joy that come from living a life pleasing to God. Consequences of Misplaced PrioritiesThose who prioritize wealth over integrity will face consequences. This serves as a warning to examine our motives and ensure they align with God's will. Living with Eternal PerspectiveChristians are encouraged to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary riches, aligning their lives with God's eternal purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of faithfulness in Proverbs 28:20 relate to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament? 2. In what ways can the pursuit of wealth lead to spiritual and moral compromise in today's society? 3. What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate faithfulness in your daily life? 4. How can we discern the difference between God's blessings and worldly success? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a choice between faithfulness and financial gain. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it guide your future decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 6:24This verse highlights the impossibility of serving both God and money, emphasizing the need for a singular devotion to God, which aligns with the warning against being eager to be rich. 1 Timothy 6:9-10These verses warn about the dangers and temptations that come with the desire to be rich, echoing the theme of punishment for those who prioritize wealth over faithfulness. Luke 16:10-12Jesus teaches about faithfulness in small things leading to greater responsibilities and blessings, paralleling the promise of blessings for the faithful in Proverbs 28:20. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Abound, Aboundeth, Acquitted, Attempting, Blessed, Blessing, Blessings, Eager, Faith, Faithful, Free, Haste, Hastens, Hasting, Innocent, Makes, Maketh, Multiplied, Punishment, Quickly, Rich, Richly, Stedfast, Unpunished, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:20 5833 diligence
5840 eagerness
6135 coveting, and sin
8251 faithfulness, to God
8261 generosity, God's
8302 love, abuse of Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "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 "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity 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 28:20 NIVProverbs 28:20 NLTProverbs 28:20 ESVProverbs 28:20 NASBProverbs 28:20 KJV
Proverbs 28:20 Commentaries
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