◄ Proverbs 17:16 ►
Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
Study Bible
Why should the fool have money in his hand
This phrase highlights the incongruity of a fool possessing resources. In biblical terms, a "fool" is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often ignoring God's commandments and living a life contrary to divine principles. The possession of money by a fool suggests a potential for misuse, as wealth in the hands of someone lacking discernment can lead to destructive outcomes. The Bible often contrasts the wise and the foolish, emphasizing that true wisdom is more valuable than material wealth (Proverbs 3:13-15). The imagery of money in hand suggests readiness or capability, yet without the necessary wisdom, it is futile.

with no intention of buying wisdom?
This part of the verse underscores the fool's lack of desire or intention to acquire wisdom, despite having the means to do so. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was often sought through instruction and learning, sometimes requiring resources to access teachers or scrolls. The fool's failure to invest in wisdom reflects a deeper spiritual and moral deficiency. Proverbs frequently emphasizes the pursuit of wisdom as a noble and essential endeavor (Proverbs 4:7). The rhetorical question implies that the fool's priorities are misplaced, valuing temporary, material possessions over eternal, spiritual growth. This can be seen as a call to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth, aligning with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament, where He advises storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Fool
In the context of Proverbs, the fool is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often characterized by a rejection of God’s ways and a preference for folly.

2. Wisdom
A central theme in Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as a valuable treasure, often personified as a woman calling out to be embraced. It represents living in accordance with God’s will and understanding His truths.

3. Money
Represents resources or means that could be used to acquire wisdom, but in the hands of a fool, it is squandered or misused.
Teaching Points
The Value of Wisdom
Wisdom is more valuable than material wealth. It is essential to prioritize the pursuit of wisdom over the accumulation of riches.

Misuse of Resources
Having resources without the intention or ability to use them wisely is futile. We should seek to use our resources to grow in understanding and godliness.

Intentional Pursuit of Wisdom
Acquiring wisdom requires intentionality and effort. It is not enough to have the means; one must have the desire and commitment to seek wisdom.

The Consequences of Folly
Fools miss out on the benefits of wisdom because they do not value it. This leads to a life lacking direction and purpose.

The Role of the Heart
The heart's intention is crucial. A fool may have the means to gain wisdom but lacks the heart to pursue it. We must examine our hearts and align our desires with God’s will.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some practical ways you can prioritize the pursuit of wisdom in your daily life?

2. How can you ensure that the resources God has given you are used to grow in wisdom and understanding?

3. Reflect on a time when you acted foolishly with your resources. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply that lesson moving forward?

4. How does the fear of the Lord serve as the foundation for acquiring wisdom, and how can you cultivate this fear in your life?

5. In what ways can you encourage others in your community to value and seek wisdom over material wealth?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 1:7
This verse highlights the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, contrasting the wise with fools who despise wisdom and instruction.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
This verse discusses wisdom as a shelter, similar to money, but emphasizes that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor, unlike money in the hands of a fool.

Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins illustrates the importance of being prepared and wise, contrasting those who are ready with those who are foolish and unprepared.
Sermons
Means and Abilities to Get WisdomW. Reading, M. A.Proverbs 17:16
Opportunities of YouthH. Ward Beecher.Proverbs 17:16
Fatherhood and SonshipW. Clarkson Proverbs 17:6, 21, 25
Light in the Head, Love in the HeartE. Johnson Proverbs 17:16-20
Use and NeglectW. Clarkson Proverbs 17:16, 24
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Buy, Desire, Fool, Foolish, Heart, Mind, Money, None, Price, Purpose, Seeing, Sense, Understanding, Wherefore, Wisdom
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 17:16

     5413   money, attitudes

Library
April 8. "A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine" (Prov. xvii. 22).
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Prov. xvii. 22). King Solomon left among his wise sayings a prescription for sick and sad hearts, and it is one that we can safely take. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Joy is the great restorer and healer. Gladness of spirit will bring health to the bones and vitality to the nerves when all other tonics fail, and all other sedatives cease to quiet. Sick one, begin to rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

September 12. "The Furnace for Gold; but the Lord Trieth the Hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3. )
"The furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3.) Remember that temptation is not sin unless it be accompanied with the consent of your will. There may seem to be even the inclination, and yet the real choice of your spirit is fixed immovably against it, and God regards it simply as a solicitation and credits you with an obedience all the more pleasing to Him, because the temptation was so strong. We little know how evil can find access to a pure nature and seem to incorporate …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Unrivalled Friend
A sermon (No. 899) delivered on Lord's Day morning, November 7th, 1869, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."--Proverbs 17:17. There is one thing about the usefulness of which all men are agreed, namely, friendship; but most men are soon aware that counterfeits of friendship are common as autumn leaves. Few men enjoy from others the highest and truest form of friendship. The friendships of this world are …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Its Meaning
Deliverance from the condemning sentence of the Divine Law is the fundamental blessing in Divine salvation: so long as we continue under the curse, we can neither be holy nor happy. But as to the precise nature of that deliverance, as to exactly what it consists of, as to the ground on which it is obtained, and as to the means whereby it is secured, much confusion now obtains. Most of the errors which have been prevalent on this subject arose from the lack of a clear view of the thing itself, and …
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

Religion a Weariness to the Natural Man.
"He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him."--Isaiah liii. 2. "Religion is a weariness;" such is the judgment commonly passed, often avowed, concerning the greatest of blessings which Almighty God has bestowed upon us. And when God gave the blessing, He at the same time foretold that such would be the judgment of the world upon it, even as manifested in the gracious Person of Him whom He sent to give it to us. "He hath no form nor …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and Death.
THAT early spring-tide in Galilee was surely the truest realisation of the picture in the Song of Solomon, when earth clad herself in garments of beauty, and the air was melodious with songs of new life. [2625] It seemed as if each day marked a widening circle of deepest sympathy and largest power on the part of Jesus; as if each day also brought fresh surprise, new gladness; opened hitherto unthought-of possibilities, and pointed Israel far beyond the horizon of their narrow expectancy. Yesterday …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Cæsarius of Arles.
He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

An Exhortation to Peace and Unity
[ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR] This treatise was first published in 1688, after Bunyan's death, at the end of the second edition of the Barren Fig Tree, with a black border round the title. It was continued in the third edition 1692, but was subsequently omitted, although the Barren Fig Tree was printed for the same publisher. It has been printed in every edition of Bunyan's Works. Respect for the judgment of others leads me to allow it a place in the first complete edition, although I have serious …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Nature of Justification
Justification in the active sense (iustificatio, {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is defined by the Tridentine Council as "a translation from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption of the sons of God through the second Adam, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Concerning Justification.
Concerning Justification. As many as resist not this light, but receive the same, it becomes in them an holy, pure, and spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and all those other blessed fruits which are acceptable to God: by which holy birth, to wit, Jesus Christ formed within us, and working his works in us, as we are sanctified, so are we justified in the sight of God, according to the apostle's words; But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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