What consequences does Proverbs 22:16 suggest for those who "increase wealth by extortion"?

A Look at the Verse

“Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 22:16)

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Consequences Outlined

• Inevitable financial loss—“will surely lead to poverty.”

• Divine reversal—God turns ill-gotten gain into lack.

• Moral disgrace—wealth amassed by coercion carries God’s disapproval (Proverbs 21:6).

• Long-term instability—riches gained by wrongdoing “dwindle” (Proverbs 13:11).

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Why Poverty Follows Oppression

• God defends the vulnerable (Proverbs 14:31; Psalm 68:5). When His justice moves, the oppressor’s assets evaporate.

• Sin carries built-in decay: dishonest wealth invites waste, lawsuits, sickness, relational breakdowns, and spiritual blindness (Jeremiah 17:11; James 5:1-3).

• Exploitation breeds distrust; eventually customers, partners, and employees walk away, emptying the oppressor’s coffers (Proverbs 11:26).

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God’s Character and Justice

• He “does not show partiality nor take a bribe” (Deuteronomy 10:17).

• He “raises the poor from the dust” (1 Samuel 2:8) and brings down the proud (Luke 1:52-53).

• The Judge of all earth guarantees a reckoning (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

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Supporting Scriptures

• Proverbs 28:8—“He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one kind to pity the poor.”

• Psalm 37:16-17—“the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.”

• James 5:1-6—rich oppressors “have hoarded wealth in the last days…Your gold and silver are corroded.”

• Luke 16:19-31—earthly luxury gained at the poor man’s expense ends in eternal lack.

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Applications for Today

• Guard business practices: no exploitation, hidden fees, or predatory policies.

• Redirect ambition: pursue diligence and generosity, not manipulation.

• Remember stewardship: all assets belong to the Lord; misuse brings loss (Psalm 24:1).

• Cultivate compassion: giving to the poor honors God and brings lasting reward (Proverbs 19:17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

Ill-gotten wealth may sparkle for a season, but Proverbs 22:16 assures a sobering outcome: oppression leads straight to poverty, both temporal and eternal.