The book of Proverbs offers timeless principles for managing finances in a way that honours God and protects the heart. These are not guarantees of material riches but divine guidelines for wise stewardship. Proverbs teaches how to handle wealth faithfully, emphasising that true reward comes from obedience rather than accumulation. As Proverbs reminds us, money is a powerful servant but a dangerous master when trusted above the Lord.
A striking example comes from the story of missionary J. Arthur Mouw (often referred to as Arthur Mu) among the Dyak people in West Borneo (now Kalimantan, Indonesia) in the 1930s. These believers lived in deep poverty, much like the Macedonians described in 2 Corinthians 8. The work relied entirely on foreign support, and national leaders hesitated to teach tithing, believing the people were too poor. Mouw, convicted by the Lord, preached from Malachi 3, holding up his Bible and asking, “Has this book ever lied to you?” The Dyaks replied, “No, this book has never lied to us.” He explained that if they had ten eggs, one belonged to the Lord; the same applied to rice or chickens. In simple, childlike faith, they began giving generously. Chickens appeared tied to his porch, rice was brought, and these gifts supported the churches. Despite opposition from a colonial official who mistook it for a tax, the work continued. Remarkably, the next harvest brought abundant crops free from pests, with surplus rice for the first time. The Dyaks were not surprised; they simply said it was as the book promised. Their obedience led to self-supporting, self-governing churches that even sent missionaries to other tribes. This story illustrates that God’s principles hold true, even in extreme poverty, when trusted with faith.
Honour God First with What You Have
Proverbs 3:9-10 instructs, “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” The word “honour” (Hebrew kabod) means to give weight or significance. In financial matters, this asks whether God holds substantial importance in our stewardship. Giving firstfruits meant offering the initial portion before knowing the full harvest, trusting God ahead of security. Proverbs 15:16 adds, “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Wealth without reverence brings anxiety, while fearing the Lord brings peace regardless of amount. Money magnifies what we fear; our spending reveals our deepest concerns. Proverbs 22:4 states, “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Reverence precedes reward. God seeks our hearts first, not our money. When He becomes weighty, as with Zacchaeus in Luke 19, priorities reorder naturally.
Work Diligently, Plan Wisely, and Avoid Financial Bondage
Proverbs 10:4 contrasts outcomes: “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Diligence involves steady effort, not shortcuts. Proverbs 13:11 warns, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” Quick gains through schemes often vanish, while patient labour endures. Proverbs 21:5 notes, “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” Wisdom calls for planning and awareness. Proverbs 27:23 advises, “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Today, this means tracking accounts, obligations, and realities. Debt is framed as bondage: Proverbs 22:7 declares, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Debt can snare and limit freedom. Wisdom values margin, prudence, and deliberate planning over reaction. God blesses diligence, not haste or entanglement.
Deal Honestly in All Financial Matters
Proverbs 11:1 declares, “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” Integrity matters more than profit. God detests calculated deception. Proverbs 20:10 reinforces, “Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.” Proverbs 16:8 adds, “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” How wealth is gained outweighs how much is gained. Trusting the Lord eliminates the need to manipulate. Honest dealings reflect faith; crooked methods reveal a lack of trust.
Hold Wealth Loosely and Give Generously
Proverbs 11:24 presents a paradox: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Generosity multiplies in God’s economy, while withholding shrinks life. Proverbs 11:25 continues, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 19:17 says, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Giving to the needy, including gospel outreach, is a loan to God Himself. Proverbs 11:28 warns, “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” Wealth makes a poor saviour. Riches can sprout wings and fly away (Proverbs 23:5). Hold wealth loosely, cling to Christ, and give generously. When wealth serves righteousness, it blesses; when it replaces God, it ensnares.
Proverbs does not condemn wealth but misplaced trust. Honour God first, work diligently, deal honestly, and give generously. Follow these principles, and experience the reliability of God’s Word. This book has never lied. Trust Him in stewardship as in salvation.
In closing, may we apply these truths with childlike faith like the Dyaks. As we honour the Lord with our substance, work wisely, live honestly, and give freely, we position ourselves to hear one day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Our security rests not in bank accounts but in the unchanging God who keeps His promises. Let us steward faithfully, hearts fixed on Him.
