Sunday School Lesson

Wisdom and Money

Lesson Text: Proverbs 22:1-16

Related Scriptures: Proverbs 3:1-12; 11:1-8, 24-31; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Luke 12:13-21

TIME: between 971 and 931 B.C.

PLACE: Jerusalem

Golden Text – “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4)

Introduction

          Although the book of Proverbs may at first appear random and chaotic, it is more intentional than many have assumed. As it turns out, there is a method to its seemingly random organization. Solomon’s brilliant mind and God-given wisdom enabled him to compose this deep and practical book of wisdom.

          Although every individual proverb is an independent unit that can stand alone, it is also intentionally placed within a network of other proverbs whose themes often coalesce. What may appear to be a random hodgepodge of wise sayings arbitrarily thrown together is actually a brilliant mosaic of complementary truths. These themes combine to provide comprehensive insights that give instruction to the reader. They do not merely demonstrate how to handle only one issue but multiple related issues at the same time.

          Thus, while Proverbs 22 mentions many other topics besides the primary theme of wealth (such as humility, parenting, purity of heart, and laziness), it is important to remember that these are not unrelated. Instead, these themes alert the reader to the kinds of issues that will likely come into play when dealing with wealth and finances.

LESSON OUTLINE

1.   GOD’S SOVEREIGN CONTROL OVER WEALTH – Prov. 22:1-9

2.   GOD’S SUPREME WISDOM CONCERNING WEALTH – Prov. 22:10-16

QUESTIONS

1.   What is more valuable than wealth (Prov. 22:1)?

2.   What character quality is needed for a good reputation that wealth cannot provide

3.   What do the rich and poor have in common (vs. 2)?

4.   Who proceeds toward danger without caution (vss. 3-5)?

5.   According to the context, what does “training up a child” refer to (vs. 6)?

6.   What do verses 7-9 provide for parents?

7.   What is Solomon’s wisdom concerning scorners (vs. 10)?

8.   Who is the replacement for the scorner (vss. 11-12)?

9.   What do slothful people fabricate, and why (vs. 13)?

10.  What contextual feature overshadows the meaning of verses 14-16?

ANSWERS

1.   Solomon began his penetrating instruction on the issue of riches by discussing what has greater worth than wealth: a good name. Wealth does not matter if someone’s name has been sullied.

2.   Riches can be obtained apart from virtue, but a good reputation cannot.

3.   While rich and poor people seem to have nothing in common, Solomon pointed out that the common theological denominator is that the Lord made them both.

4.   On the other hand, simple and foolish people proceed toward danger without caution and inevitably suffer terrible consequences for it.

5.   While the proverb itself is general enough to apply to many kinds of instruction, it is not implausible that the specific application pertains to the wise handling of riches.

6.   It is quite possible that verses 7-9 provide a sample of the kind of instruction parents can impart to their children regarding silver and gold. Although applicable to all God’s people, these verses provide immediate examples of wise instruction from parents to their children.

7.   In verse 10, Solomon advised his readers to drive out scorners and the contention they bring.

8.   The one who loves purity of heart and speaks with gracious lips replaces the brazen mockery of the scorner.

9.   Solomon showed that slothful people are so controlled by their appetites that they will invent wild excuses to avoid responsibility.

10.  If chapter 22 serves as a suitable context, the cursed (“abhorred”) are the previously mentioned simple, slothful scorners who do not live their lives in fear of the Lord. One may also assume that these same fools are captured by greed and love of money, which is, as Paul warned, the root of all evil. (1 Tim. 6:10).