A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him. A stingy manThe Hebrew word for "stingy" here is "רַע עָיִן" (ra ayin), which literally translates to "evil eye." In the ancient Near Eastern context, having an "evil eye" was synonymous with being greedy or miserly. This phrase suggests a person who is not only unwilling to share their resources but also views others' prosperity with envy. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the moral failing of placing material wealth above spiritual richness and community welfare. The "stingy man" is contrasted with the Biblical ideal of generosity, as seen in Proverbs 11:25, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." hastens after wealth
The verb "hastens" implies a sense of urgency and impatience. The Hebrew root "בָּהַל" (bahal) conveys a hurried or anxious pursuit. This reflects a mindset that prioritizes immediate gratification and material gain over patience and trust in God's provision. Historically, this can be seen in the context of ancient Israel, where wealth was often associated with God's blessing, yet the pursuit of wealth without righteousness was condemned. The conservative Christian view would emphasize the importance of seeking God's kingdom first, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." and does not know
This phrase indicates a lack of awareness or understanding. The Hebrew "וְלֹא יָדַע" (velo yada) suggests ignorance or blindness to the consequences of one's actions. In the Biblical narrative, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord and understanding His ways. The "stingy man" is depicted as lacking this wisdom, which leads to his downfall. From a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a warning against spiritual blindness and the importance of seeking divine wisdom through prayer and scripture study. that poverty awaits him
The Hebrew word for "poverty" is "מַחְסוֹר" (machsor), which denotes a state of lack or need. This is the inevitable outcome for the one who prioritizes wealth over righteousness. The phrase "awaits him" suggests an impending consequence that is certain and unavoidable. In the historical context of Proverbs, poverty was often seen as a result of foolishness or moral failure. The conservative Christian interpretation would see this as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth and the eternal value of spiritual riches. As Jesus taught in Luke 12:15, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." Persons / Places / Events 1. Stingy ManThis refers to an individual characterized by greed and a lack of generosity. The Hebrew word used here can imply someone who is narrow-minded or selfish in their pursuit of wealth. 2. WealthIn this context, wealth represents material riches or financial gain that the stingy man is pursuing. The pursuit is driven by a desire for more, often at the expense of ethical considerations. 3. PovertyThis is the eventual outcome for the stingy man. Despite his efforts to accumulate wealth, he is unaware that his greed will lead to a lack of true prosperity, both materially and spiritually. Teaching Points The Deceptive Nature of GreedGreed can blind individuals to the true consequences of their actions. The pursuit of wealth for its own sake often leads to spiritual and sometimes material poverty. True Wealth in GodlinessTrue prosperity is found in godliness and contentment, not in the accumulation of material wealth. Christians are called to seek first the kingdom of God. Generosity as a VirtueGenerosity is a reflection of God's character and a practical way to combat the sin of greed. Believers are encouraged to be generous and to trust in God's provision. The Importance of Eternal PerspectiveAn eternal perspective helps believers prioritize spiritual riches over earthly wealth. This perspective guards against the pitfalls of greed and aligns with biblical teachings on stewardship. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the pursuit of wealth as described in Proverbs 28:22 contrast with the biblical call to contentment? 2. In what ways can greed manifest in a believer's life, and how can one guard against it? 3. How does the concept of generosity serve as a counterbalance to the stinginess described in Proverbs 28:22? 4. Reflect on a time when pursuing material gain led to unexpected consequences. How does this relate to the warning in Proverbs 28:22? 5. How can the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels help us understand and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 28:22 in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Timothy 6:9-10This passage warns about the dangers of desiring to be rich, highlighting that such desires can lead to ruin and destruction, similar to the warning in Proverbs 28:22. Luke 12:15-21Jesus' parable of the rich fool illustrates the futility of hoarding wealth without being "rich toward God," echoing the theme of misplaced priorities found in Proverbs 28:22. Ecclesiastes 5:10This verse speaks to the insatiable nature of greed, emphasizing that those who love money will never be satisfied, aligning with the warning against the pursuit of wealth in Proverbs 28:22. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Awaits, Considereth, Desiring, Doesn't, Eager, Evil, Eye, Goes, Hasteneth, Hastens, Hasteth, Hurries, Knoweth, Meet, Miserly, Money, Poverty, Rich, Riches, Running, Stingy, Troubled, Unaware, Waits, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:22 5447 poverty, causes
5856 extravagance
5883 impatience
5907 miserliness
5967 thrift
6135 coveting, and sin Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 28:22 NIVProverbs 28:22 NLTProverbs 28:22 ESVProverbs 28:22 NASBProverbs 28:22 KJV
Proverbs 28:22 Commentaries
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