Proverbs 18:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

NIV: The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

NASB: A rich person’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

CSB: The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.

NLT: The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.

KJV: The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

NKJV: The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

According to this verse, being rich tempts people towards a false sense of invincibility. One reason earthly wealth can interfere with spiritual growth is when it numbs us to our dependence on God (Matthew 19:23). There are obvious practical advantages to money; without question, a rich person can overcome most setbacks and complications more easily than can a poor person. Yet money cannot do everything, nor is it eternal. War, economic collapse, and other factors can destroy wealth in an instant. Money cannot achieve the impossible.

Thinking of wealth as a stable, immovable refuge is to live in imagination, not reality. Many individuals work feverishly to build a fortune, only to discover that trusting in wealth for security is like building house on sand. When trouble strikes, wealth and possessions may collapse as surely and as swiftly as a house built on sand collapses in a violent storm (Matthew 7:26–27). Even if money lasts to the end of one's earthly life, it can't be taken along into eternity (1 Timothy 6:7; Luke 12:16–21).

This false perspective on money is reflected in the following proverb (Proverbs 18:12) and is also echoed in Proverbs 11:2 and Proverbs 16:18.

Proverbs 23:4¬–5 cautions: "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." Amid his trials, Job reflected on the fact that he had not put excessive trust in his gold. He knew better than to feel secure in riches (Job 31:24–25).

Proverbs 18:10–15 contrasts true security found in God with the illusion of wealth. As in the prior verses, Solomon explains the value of seeking out deeper understanding. This passage contains two famous biblical statements. One refers to God as a "strong tower," while the other notes that physical struggles are easier to endure than spiritual and emotional trials.

This segment of Solomon's wise sayings includes several well-known and often-repeated remarks. Among these are references to God's "name" as a place of safety, the connection between pride and catastrophe, the value of a godly spouse, and the intimate loyalty of a good friend. As in other parts of the book of Proverbs, these teachings are tied to warnings about the consequences of poor decisions.

Chapter 18 continues a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon. These began in chapter 10 and will continue through chapter 22. This section contains numerous references to fair-mindedness and seeking out truth from multiple sources. Diligent responsibility—in words, actions, and beliefs—is a notable emphasis in this segment.

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.