Proverbs 11:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

NIV: Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

NASB: Riches do not benefit on the day of wrath, But righteousness rescues from death.

CSB: Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death.

NLT: Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.

KJV: Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

NKJV: Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

No one can buy his way into heaven. Wealth is useless when God directs His wrath at unbelievers. Modern English proverbs such as "you can't take it with you" convey only part of the problem. Those who rely on money, instead of God, will not only lose their wealth in eternity, they'll lose everything.

Luke 16:19–31 relates a story about a rich man who wore expensive clothes and ate plenty of luxurious food every day, but when he died, he went to a place of torment. His fate was sealed, and the money he'd earned in life was useless. The wrath of God had come upon him. In a similar parable, Jesus depicts a rich fool who takes comfort in his money, only to find his soul is in jeopardy (Luke 12:13–21).

Revelation 18 describes the fall of prosperous Babylon under God's wrath. The merchants, "who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud" (Revelation 18:15). They cry, "Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste" (Revelation 18:16–17).

However, believers need not fear death (John 3:36). Clothed in the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), they enjoy victory over death, and when they die, they enter the presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21–23).

Many of the proverbs in this section deal with contrasts between those who are righteous and those who are wicked. Righteous people follow God's will, bring honor and blessing on themselves, and have hope. Evil people disobey God, bring trouble on others, are hated, and their lives lead to disaster.

This continues a long passage filled with Solomon's general, common-sense observations. As in chapter 10, Solomon presents a variety of contrasts. We see distinctions such as those between integrity and dishonesty, trust in wealth and trust in the Lord, wise and foolish talk, true riches and false riches, the blessing of the righteous and the harm caused by the wicked, and the respective rewards of the godly and those who are evil.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.