Wealth,Work, and Wisdom

A wise son makes a glad father,

    but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

2 

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,

    but righteousness delivers from death.

3 

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,

    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 

A slack hand causes poverty,

    but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5 

He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,

    but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

(Proverbs 10:1-5)

Solomon mentions for the first time here the pursuit of material gain. His bottom line is this: work hard, be honest, trust God.  The harder someone pursues possessions to please his/her own passions, the more satisfaction will elude that person.  Hard work and honest business makes sure one has all he or she needs, and more.  Laziness and lust leads to even deeper emptiness.  What a challenge is before us in this crazy culture in which we live - both to heed this call for a wealthy wisdom ourselves, and pass it on to the coming generation.