Proverbs 22:16

Solomon finishes this section of his book, with a puzzle.

Solomon describes two men. Each man has a plan. Each man thinks that his plan will make him wealthy. However, both plans will fail. Both men will become poor. These men become poor, because their plans are not wise. Both plans are evil plans. So God opposes these plans. And God punishes the men.

The first man wanted to be wealthy. So he was cruel to poor people. Perhaps he was an employer. He decided to pay poor wages for hard work. Or perhaps he was a landlord. The rent was expensive and the houses were dangerous. Or perhaps he was just a thief. He stole money from the poor people. All these plans are evil.

The second man did not think about poor people. He wanted to get money from wealthy people. Perhaps his gifts were bribes (secret gifts). He wanted government officials to like him. Then they would help him to make a profit. He thought that this would make him rich. Or perhaps he gave gifts to impress other people. He wanted people to think that he was wealthy or important. In the end, he wasted all his money.

People make many plans to become wealthy. But, in the end, wealth does not matter. When we die, we shall lose all our money Ecclesiastes 2:18; 1 Timothy 6:7). But when we die, we do not lose wisdom. Wisdom teaches us to respect God (Proverbs 1:7).

We must not trust in money. We must trust in God.

30 Wise Lessons

(Proverbs 22:17 to Proverbs 24:34)

v17 Listen carefully to the ‘Wise Lessons’!

Learn them well!

v18 Remember them!

Be ready to repeat them to other people!

v19 I am teaching you – yes, you!

I am teaching you so that you will trust God.

v20 Here are 30 Wise Lessons.

These lessons will teach wisdom and knowledge to you.

v21 These lessons are true and certain.

You will give good answers to those who sent you.

The last major section of the Book of Proverbs begins here. The section includes several different parts. There are:

• short proverbs (wise words);

• longer lessons;

• puzzles;

• and a poem.