Proverbs 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

NIV: then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

NASB: Then your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

CSB: then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

NLT: Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

KJV: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

NKJV: So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

This verse promises that the Lord will reward faithful giving. This echoes Deuteronomy 28:11–12, which promises Israel: "And the LORD will make you abound in prosperity…The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands." As always, context matters when interpreting these Scriptures. Deuteronomy's promises are meant for the nation of Israel, not for all people at all times. A "proverb," by definition, is a general statement. Solomon is not making an ironclad guarantee to all people in all circumstances. And yet, those who honor God set themselves up for better outcomes than those who live in rebellion.

The Lord has not promised Christians material prosperity in return for faithful giving. However, He has promised to meet all our needs (Matthew 6:33). Paul acknowledged the faithful giving of the Philippian church, and promised, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). It is noteworthy that he did not say "out of His riches," but "according to His riches." God is a generous giver, but it is unlikely He will pour blessings into a closed hand. He loves and rewards a generous giver.

Proverbs 3:1–12 is an exhortation from Solomon to his son, urging him to heed his teaching and trust wholeheartedly in the Lord. He cites some of the valuable results of obedience and trust. This section builds on the counsel Solomon gave in Proverbs 2. The following section describes the blessings that come to those who find wisdom and understanding.

This chapter of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon's son. The term, ''my son'' occurs 15 times in chapters 1—7. The words may apply to one of Solomon's students in his court or to one of his biological sons. The application of wisdom in Proverbs 3 shows the benefits of trusting in the Lord with one's whole heart. Solomon credits obedience to and trust in God for longevity, success, guidance, health, reward that exceeds monetary wealth, enjoyment, peace, security, confidence, excellent human relationships, the Lord's blessing and favor, and honor. As with all ''proverbs,'' biblical or otherwise, their purpose is to impart general wisdom, not absolute prophecy. Like the original audience, modern readers are not expected to see these guidelines as absolute guarantees for any one person.

This passage lies in the second section of the book, found in chapters 1—9. The author, King Solomon, reigned over Israel from 971 to 931 BC. The first section of Proverbs, the preface, is found in Proverbs 1:1–7. The third section, chapters 10—22, were also written by Solomon. These proverbs were likely written by Solomon in his middle years, whereas he probably wrote Song of Songs in his early adulthood, and Ecclesiastes near the end of his life. As in the first two chapters, wisdom is stressed in Proverbs 3.

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.