Proverbs 21:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

NIV: The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

NASB: There is precious treasure and oil in the home of the wise, But a foolish person swallows it up.

CSB: Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.

NLT: The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

KJV: There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

NKJV: There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

This commends the man who maintains provisions: who takes care not to run out of important supplies. Good stewardship involves guarding resources and using them wisely. A wise manager of what God has given is not stingy or greedy, but charitable. Solomon (Proverbs 10:1) contrasts this stewardship with foolish wastefulness. The foolish man does not see his possessions as God's investment in need of careful handling. Rather, he consumes like a wild animal gulping down prey. The fool focuses on immediate pleasure (Proverbs 21:17) and wastes resources he will need in the future.

A vivid example of this fate is seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). That man foolishly took his share of the inheritance and wasted it through pleasure-seeking. When all his resources were gone, he took a lowly job feeding pigs. He was starving to the point of wishing he could eat the pig's food. That experience demonstrates the warning given in this passage.

Proverbs 21:17–31 continues the recorded wisdom of Solomon (Proverbs 10:1). He contrasts the wise person with the foolish person, the righteous with the wicked, the lazy person with the diligent, and human wisdom with the Lord's sovereignty.

This chapter begins and ends with a declaration of God's sovereignty. He alone judges the heart; the Lord considers intentions just as important as physical actions. Other comments include statements about unpleasant spouses, proper perspectives on wealth, work ethic, and the essential nature of godly wisdom. Human wisdom is no match for the sovereign Lord, who alone is ultimately responsible for victory in battle.

This is part of the second major section of the book (Proverbs 10—22) featuring nearly four hundred statements. Most of these are two-line comments presenting common sense and general wisdom. The vague theme of chapter 21 is God's control. Man may believe he is in control of his circumstances, but God superintends everything. The chapter begins and ends by assuring the readers that God holds ultimate sway over all things.

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 8:31:35 PM