What does Proverbs 16:8 mean?

A believer has no guarantee of great wealth (John 16:33; Matthew 6:19; 8:20). Yet all believers have access to great spiritual wealth (Matthew 5:3, 5). Second Corinthians 8:9 declares, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." Spiritual riches include salvation, peace with God, assurance of heaven, fellowship with God, assurance of His abiding presence, joy, and purposeful living (1 Timothy 6:6). A person may be financially affluent, but if he does not belong to God, he is spiritually impoverished, even bankrupt.

Solomon reasons here that it is better to be poor and yet be in good standing with God, rather than to live an unjust life with material wealth (Mark 8:36). All who become rich by immoral means will be punished by the Lord. Money, luxury homes, fame, cars, and overflowing possessions can only last so long as this life. They offer wealthy unbelievers no defense in the day of judgment (Proverbs 15:16).