What does Proverbs 10:22 mean?

The original Hebrew of this verse literally says "the blessing of the LORD, it makes rich…" Scripture is not naïve about our corrupt world; good people are not always financially successful (John 16:33; Philippians 4:11–13), and evil people often become wealthy (Psalm 37:7; 73:3). Godliness, put into practice through wisdom, gives a person a better likelihood at long-lasting triumph. The contrast expressed in this verse is not a guarantee of prosperity, but a comparison between wealth gained righteously as opposed to that obtained by deception.

In short, wealth obtained morally is more secure than riches gained through sin. Immoral dealings put a person at risk of revenge, legal trouble, or other problems (Proverbs 10:2, 9). Further, at least some of the pleasure of wealth is countered by a person's conscience.

This verse also reminds us to appreciate success clearly influenced by God's intervention. In Deuteronomy 8, the Lord reminded the people of Israel that He had freed them from Egypt and led them into the Promised Land, "a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs…a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing" (Deuteronomy 8:7–9). He urged the people not to forget Him and warned: "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth'" (Deuteronomy 8:17).