What does "adds no sorrow" imply about God's blessings in Proverbs 10:22? Verse at a Glance “The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.” (Proverbs 10:22) Key Word: “adds no sorrow” • Hebrew = ʿeṣeb — pain, toil, grief, anxious labor (cf. Genesis 3:17). • The idea: God’s true blessing is not mixed with the curse of painful striving or regret. What “adds no sorrow” Implies • Freedom from Regret — No guilty aftertaste or uneasy conscience (Psalm 32:10). • Freedom from Anxious Toil — Unlike wealth won by relentless self-effort, God’s provision carries rest, not burnout (Psalm 127:2). • Freedom from Moral Compromise — Blessing gained God’s way isn’t shadowed by dishonest shortcuts (Proverbs 10:2; 11:4). • Freedom from Hidden “Strings” — No manipulative obligations; His gifts are gracious, not transactional (Romans 8:32). • Freedom from Eternal Loss — Temporal gain without Christ ends in ruin (1 Timothy 6:9-10), but His blessing holds everlasting value. Contrast: Human Gain vs. God’s Blessing • Human self-made success – Requires constant maintenance – Often breeds worry, pride, relational damage – Ends when life ends • God-given blessing – Comes by His favor and obedience to His word – Is accompanied by peace (Philippians 4:7) – Echoes into eternity (Matthew 6:19-20) Dimensions of God’s Sorrow-Free Blessing • Material – needed resources, income, opportunities • Relational – harmony in family and fellowship (Psalm 133:1-3) • Spiritual – assurance of salvation, fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) • Emotional – joy that “no one can take from you” (John 16:22) Supporting Scriptures • James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” • Psalm 84:11 – “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” • Ephesians 1:3 – “He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing…” • John 10:10 – “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Living in the Reality • Seek blessing God’s way—faith, obedience, integrity. • Receive with gratitude, not anxiety. • Rest in His character; His gifts won’t turn sour tomorrow or in eternity. • Use the blessing to serve others, multiplying joy without sorrow. |
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