Proverbs 23:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

NIV: Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

NASB: When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

CSB: As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

NLT: In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

KJV: Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

NKJV: Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

This completes Solomon's warning about overworking, especially for the sake of wealth. This verse uses a turn of phrase in Hebrew which is lost in translation. The literal wording refers to both the eyes and the eagle "flying." If one's eyes "fly" to wealth, that wealth will just as quickly "fly" away. This echoes other statements in the Bible about the temporary nature of earthly resources (Proverbs 11:4; 27:24).

A common English expression regarding money and death is, "you can't take it with you." Every earthly possession will be stripped from even the richest man in the world when he takes his final breath. Then he will stand before God. If his trust and emphasis was in wealth rather than in the Savior, he will be condemned for eternity. The rich man Jesus described as "clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted feasting sumptuously every day" (Luke 16:19) died and left all his wealth behind. He suffered in Hades and longed for just a fingertip's drop of water to cool his tongue. He found like so many others that wealth is temporary and unstable (Luke 18:25; James 5:1–3).

Proverbs 23:1–11 continues a set of wise sayings recorded by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). This passage contains many wise sayings framed mainly as negative commands: beginning with the words, "Do not." These statements are longer than the succinct suggestions which make up most of the book of Proverbs. Solomon addresses matters such as cautious skepticism towards one's host, avoiding addiction to work, and integrity before both men and God.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

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.