◄ Proverbs 28:20 ►
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
Study Bible
A faithful man will abound with blessings
This phrase emphasizes the value of faithfulness, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, faithfulness is often associated with loyalty to God and adherence to His commandments. The Hebrew word for "faithful" can also mean trustworthy or reliable, suggesting a person who is consistent in their devotion and actions. The promise of abounding blessings aligns with the covenantal promises found in Deuteronomy 28, where obedience to God results in blessings. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that those who are faithful in little will be entrusted with much (Luke 16:10). The blessings mentioned are not limited to material wealth but include spiritual prosperity, peace, and favor with God and man.

but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished
This part of the verse warns against the pursuit of wealth as a primary goal. The eagerness to be rich can lead to moral compromise and spiritual downfall, as seen in the story of Achan in Joshua 7, whose greed led to his destruction. The New Testament reiterates this warning in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, where the love of money is described as a root of all kinds of evil. The phrase "will not go unpunished" suggests divine justice, where God holds individuals accountable for their actions. This is consistent with the wisdom literature's broader theme that actions have consequences. The punishment may not always be immediate or visible, but it reflects the biblical principle that God opposes the proud and greedy but gives grace to the humble and faithful.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Faithful Man
Represents individuals who are steadfast, trustworthy, and consistent in their walk with God. The Hebrew word for "faithful" is (emunah), which conveys a sense of firmness and reliability.

2. Eager to be Rich
Refers to those who prioritize wealth accumulation over integrity and righteousness. This eagerness often leads to moral compromise and spiritual downfall.

3. Blessings
In the context of Proverbs, blessings often refer to both material and spiritual prosperity that comes from living a life aligned with God's principles.

4. Punishment
The consequences faced by those who pursue wealth at the expense of their moral and spiritual values. This can include both temporal and eternal repercussions.
Teaching Points
The Value of Faithfulness
Faithfulness is a key virtue in the Christian life, leading to God's blessings. It involves being reliable and steadfast in our commitments to God and others.

The Danger of Greed
The pursuit of wealth can lead to moral compromise and spiritual ruin. Christians are called to prioritize their relationship with God over material gain.

Blessings Beyond Material Wealth
While blessings can include material prosperity, they also encompass spiritual growth, peace, and joy that come from living a life pleasing to God.

Consequences of Misplaced Priorities
Those who prioritize wealth over integrity will face consequences. This serves as a warning to examine our motives and ensure they align with God's will.

Living with Eternal Perspective
Christians are encouraged to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary riches, aligning their lives with God's eternal purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of faithfulness in Proverbs 28:20 relate to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

2. In what ways can the pursuit of wealth lead to spiritual and moral compromise in today's society?

3. What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate faithfulness in your daily life?

4. How can we discern the difference between God's blessings and worldly success?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a choice between faithfulness and financial gain. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it guide your future decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 6:24
This verse highlights the impossibility of serving both God and money, emphasizing the need for a singular devotion to God, which aligns with the warning against being eager to be rich.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
These verses warn about the dangers and temptations that come with the desire to be rich, echoing the theme of punishment for those who prioritize wealth over faithfulness.

Luke 16:10-12
Jesus teaches about faithfulness in small things leading to greater responsibilities and blessings, paralleling the promise of blessings for the faithful in Proverbs 28:20.
Sermons
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
Judgments on TransgressorsE. Johnson Proverbs 28:17-22
Haste to be RichH. W. Beecher.Proverbs 28:20-22
Wealth or Faithfulness? a Sermon to Young MenW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:20, 22
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abound, Aboundeth, Acquitted, Attempting, Blessed, Blessing, Blessings, Eager, Faith, Faithful, Free, Haste, Hastens, Hasting, Innocent, Makes, Maketh, Multiplied, Punishment, Quickly, Rich, Richly, Stedfast, Unpunished, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:20

     5833   diligence
     5840   eagerness
     6135   coveting, and sin
     8251   faithfulness, to God
     8261   generosity, God's
     8302   love, abuse of

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

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

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of 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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