How does Proverbs 23:5 warn us about the fleeting nature of wealth? The Verse at a Glance “When you gaze upon riches, they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” — Proverbs 23:5 Immediate Context • Proverbs 23:4: “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.” • Together, vv. 4–5 form a single warning: relentless pursuit of wealth drains life, and the wealth itself evaporates. Key Images and Lessons • Eagle wings: Wealth leaves as swiftly and powerfully as an eagle lifts from the ground—no human hand can stop it. • Fleeting gaze: The Hebrew phrasing implies a “quick blink”; riches can vanish in the time it takes to look twice. • Literal reality: Scripture presents this disappearance not as metaphorical exaggeration but as fact—riches do not stay put. Why Wealth Flies Away • Economic shifts, theft, disease, death, or simple aging—all instruments God can use to prove money’s instability. • The heart is easily deceived; riches promise security yet cannot guarantee tomorrow (cf. James 4:13-14). • Greed blinds: Exhaustion for wealth (v. 4) leaves no room to cherish God, family, or eternal pursuits. Supporting Scriptures • Matthew 6:19-21 — Earthly treasures can be destroyed; heavenly treasures are safe. • 1 Timothy 6:9-10 — Desire for riches plunges people into ruin. • 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — Hope must rest in God, “who richly provides,” not in uncertain wealth. • Proverbs 11:28 — “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall.” • James 1:10-11 — The rich will fade away like a wildflower. • Psalm 39:5-6 — Man heaps up wealth “without knowing who will gather.” Practical Takeaways • Hold wealth loosely; stewardship, not ownership, is the biblical mindset. • Measure security by God’s promises, not by account balances. • Labor diligently, yet refuse to be driven by covetous ambition. • Invest in eternal assets—gospel work, acts of mercy, discipleship—returns that never take flight. • Regularly thank God for provision; gratitude counters the illusion that money sustains itself. Eternal Perspective Riches will sprout wings; resurrection life never will. Anchor hope in the One who “never changes like shifting shadows” (James 1:17) and find the lasting treasure that cannot fly away. |
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