What does "fleeting vapor" in Proverbs 21:6 suggest about ill-gotten wealth? Setting the scene—Proverbs 21:6 “Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.” Unpacking the phrase “fleeting vapor” • Vapor is visible for a moment, then gone; wealth gained dishonestly shares that short life span. • Vapor cannot be grasped or stored; ill-gotten riches slip through the fingers just as quickly. • Vapor offers no substance or support; crooked gain promises security but delivers nothing lasting. • Vapor vanishes under the slightest change in atmosphere; deceitful profit collapses when truth breaks in or when judgment comes. Why ill-gotten wealth fizzles out • God Himself stands against dishonest gain (Proverbs 10:2). • The hidden costs—guilt, fear of exposure, broken relationships—erode any temporary advantage. • Sooner or later justice catches up (Numbers 32:23, “be sure your sin will find you out”). • Eternal accounting renders earthly scams utterly worthless (Matthew 16:26). Scriptures echoing the same warning • Proverbs 13:11 — “Dishonest wealth will dwindle…” • Jeremiah 17:11 — “He who makes unjust gain… will end up a fool.” • Ecclesiastes 5:10 — “Whoever loves money never has enough.” • James 5:1-3 — ill-used riches “have rotted” and “corroded.” • Luke 12:15 — “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Living it out today • Choose transparency in every transaction; refuse shortcuts that require half-truths. • Evaluate motives: Am I pursuing money or honoring the Lord who provides it? • Store up treasure in heaven through generosity and integrity (Matthew 6:19-20). • Remember—true security rests in Christ, not in accounts that can evaporate overnight. |
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