Wealth and Wisdom in Society (Prov. 18:22-19:23)

Think about what we have been seeing from these central chapters in Proverbs. What are we seeing about wealth? What are we seeing about poverty?

Wealth and poverty are as much about relationship as they are about material stuff. And – whether we like it or not – you can't isolate relationships from stuff. Yes, you can distinguish between them – and you should! But Proverbs is showing us that all of life is connected. Our relationship with God – our relationships with others – with ourselves – and with all of creation – are all interconnected.

Our passage can be described in three sections: first "wealth and poverty among friends and family" – second "wisdom in the court and in the home" – and third "discipling the next generation."

If you think about it – these proverbs demonstrate the importance of being properly related first to God, but also to self, to others, and to creation ("stuff").