Proverbs 23:4

KJV

¶ Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

KJV (with Strong's)

Labour {H3021} not to be rich {H6238}: cease {H2308} from thine own wisdom {H998}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't exhaust yourself in pursuit of wealth; be smart enough to desist

Berean Standard Bible

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.

American Standard Version

Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 23:4 delivers a potent dual admonition, urging the reader to resist the obsessive pursuit of wealth and simultaneously to abandon self-reliance in favor of divine wisdom. It challenges the prevailing human tendency to exhaust oneself in the accumulation of riches, asserting that such a pursuit, when driven by personal ingenuity rather than God's guidance, is ultimately futile and spiritually perilous. The verse serves as a foundational principle for right living, advocating for a life oriented by God's providence and understanding, rather than worldly ambition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 23:4 is situated within a larger collection of wisdom sayings (Proverbs 22:17-24:34), often referred to as "Sayings of the Wise." This section, distinct in its introductory formula, provides practical advice for living a righteous and discerning life. The preceding verses (Proverbs 23:1-3) caution against gluttony and deception when dining with rulers, setting a tone of prudence and self-control in social and material engagements. Following Proverbs 23:4, the text continues to warn against the fleeting nature of wealth (Proverbs 23:5) and the dangers of associating with the envious or those given to wine (Proverbs 23:6-8, 20-21). Thus, Proverbs 23:4 fits seamlessly into a broader discourse on ethical conduct, financial integrity, and the pitfalls of worldly desires, emphasizing the importance of internal disposition over external acquisition.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, wealth was often seen as a sign of divine blessing and social standing. Agriculture, trade, and inherited land were primary sources of riches. However, the wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, frequently offered a counter-narrative to the unbridled pursuit of material gain. It recognized the potential for wealth to corrupt, to become an idol, and to distract from the pursuit of righteousness and justice. The cultural milieu would have understood "labour" as intense physical or mental exertion, and "wisdom" (bîynâh) as practical discernment and understanding, often linked to the ability to navigate life successfully. The admonition to "cease from thine own wisdom" would have resonated in a culture that valued personal shrewdness, reminding individuals that human ingenuity, apart from divine guidance, is insufficient and potentially destructive.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it underscores the **vanity of worldly pursuits**, particularly the obsessive quest for wealth, a theme echoed in other wisdom literature like Ecclesiastes, which frequently laments the futility of human toil under the sun. Secondly, it highlights the paramount importance of **divine wisdom over human understanding**. The book of Proverbs consistently champions the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, contrasting it with the folly of relying solely on one's own intellect or schemes (e.g., [Proverbs 3:5-7](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-7 - Trust in the Lord")). The warning against "labouring to be rich" also touches upon the theme of **contentment and proper stewardship**, suggesting that a life consumed by accumulation neglects true spiritual riches and often leads to moral compromise, as seen in passages that condemn greed (e.g., [Proverbs 28:20](/proverbs/28-20 "Proverbs 28:20 - The Faithful Man and Riches")). Finally, it implicitly addresses the **transience of earthly possessions**, a concept explicitly stated elsewhere, such as in [Proverbs 27:24](/proverbs/27-24 "Proverbs 27:24 - Riches Are Not Forever"), reinforcing the idea that true security lies not in material abundance but in a right relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Labour (Hebrew, _yâgaʻ'_):** From H3021, this primitive root properly means "to gasp," and by implication, "to be exhausted," "to tire," or "to toil." The verb form (H8799) used here conveys an intense, wearying effort. It's not a condemnation of work itself, but of an all-consuming, exhausting effort directed specifically "to be rich," implying an unhealthy, obsessive striving that can lead to physical and spiritual depletion.
* **cease (Hebrew, _châdal'_):** From H2308, this primitive root means "to be flabby," and by implication, "to desist," "to be lacking or idle," "to forbear," or "to leave off." The verb form (H8798) here is an imperative, a direct command to stop or refrain from an action. In this context, it's a call to abandon reliance on one's own understanding and strategies.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _bîynâh'_):** From H998, this noun derives from a root meaning "to discern" or "to understand." It refers to understanding, knowledge, or discernment. Here, "thine own wisdom" points to human intellect, shrewdness, or cunning, particularly as applied to the pursuit of wealth, contrasting it with the divine wisdom that should guide one's life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Labour not to be rich:"** This clause is an emphatic prohibition against an excessive, all-consuming pursuit of wealth. The "labour" (yâgaʻ) implies a toil that leads to weariness and exhaustion, suggesting that the focus is not on honest work or provision, but on an obsessive drive to accumulate riches. The phrase warns against making wealth the ultimate goal of one's efforts, implying that such a pursuit is spiritually dangerous and can lead to moral compromise and neglect of higher callings.
* **"cease from thine own wisdom."** This second clause provides the crucial counterpoint and perhaps the underlying reason for the first admonition. The command to "cease" (châdal) from "thine own wisdom" (bîynâh) instructs the reader to abandon reliance on personal ingenuity, human schemes, or worldly strategies in the pursuit of wealth. It's a call to humility and a recognition that human understanding, left to its own devices, is insufficient and can lead to misguided or unethical actions. Instead, true wisdom and proper guidance for life, including financial matters, must come from God.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 23:4 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. It is primarily an **Admonition**, a direct and authoritative warning or counsel, characteristic of the wisdom literature. The verse exhibits a form of **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first, rather than repeating or contrasting it directly. While not strictly antithetical, the two clauses present complementary aspects of a single truth: the futility of self-driven, material ambition. The first part warns against the *action* (labouring for riches), and the second part points to the *source* of this misguided action (one's own wisdom). The use of strong imperative verbs ("Labour not," "cease") adds to the **didactic** and authoritative tone, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the counsel. The phrase "thine own wisdom" serves as a subtle form of **personification**, giving human intellect an agency that can lead one astray if not submitted to a higher authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 23:4 profoundly articulates a core biblical principle: the danger of idolatry, specifically the worship of mammon, and the necessity of absolute reliance on God's wisdom and provision. It reveals that the heart's true allegiance is tested by its orientation towards material gain and self-sufficiency. The verse teaches that true security and fulfillment are not found in accumulated wealth or personal cleverness, but in a humble dependence on the Lord. This theological stance challenges the common human inclination to control one's destiny through strenuous effort and intellectual prowess, redirecting the focus to God as the ultimate source of all good, including true prosperity and understanding. It implicitly critiques the notion that success is solely a product of human effort, instead positing that God's blessing and guidance are paramount.

* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The Love of Money")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 23:4 remains profoundly relevant for contemporary life, offering a timeless challenge to our often materialistically driven culture. It calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our priorities, urging us to examine the motivations behind our labor and financial pursuits. Are we toiling to the point of exhaustion, sacrificing relationships, health, and spiritual well-being, all in the relentless pursuit of more? This verse is not a condemnation of hard work or responsible financial planning, but a sober warning against the spiritual peril of allowing wealth to become an idol that consumes our lives and dictates our decisions. Furthermore, the admonition to "cease from thine own wisdom" compels us to humble ourselves, acknowledging the limitations of our own understanding and schemes. In a world that often champions self-made success and shrewdness, this proverb reminds us that true wisdom, guidance, and lasting security come from God alone. It invites us to surrender our anxieties about provision and status, resting in His providence and seeking His counsel in every endeavor, trusting that His ways are higher and ultimately more beneficial than our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my primary motivations for working and accumulating resources? Do these motivations align with biblical principles, or do they lean towards an obsessive pursuit of wealth?**
* **In what areas of my life, particularly financial decisions, do I tend to rely more on my own intellect and strategies than on seeking God's wisdom and guidance?**
* **How does the pursuit of wealth or self-reliance impact my relationships, my spiritual life, and my overall well-being?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate contentment and a greater dependence on God's provision and wisdom in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Does "Labour not to be rich" mean Christians shouldn't work hard or seek financial stability?**

Answer: No, the verse does not condemn hard work or responsible financial stewardship. The Hebrew word `yâgaʻ` (H3021), translated "labour," implies an intense, exhausting, and often obsessive toil. The warning is against making the accumulation of wealth the ultimate, all-consuming goal of one's life, to the point of spiritual or physical exhaustion, or at the expense of moral integrity and spiritual priorities. The Bible commends diligence (e.g., [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")) and wise financial management (e.g., [Proverbs 21:20](/proverbs/21-20 "Proverbs 21:20 - There is Treasure to Be Desired")). The emphasis here is on the *motivation* and *intensity* of the pursuit, cautioning against avarice and the idolatry of wealth.

**What does it mean to "cease from thine own wisdom" in the context of pursuing wealth?**

Answer: To "cease from thine own wisdom" means to stop relying solely on your own human intellect, shrewdness, cleverness, or worldly strategies when it comes to financial endeavors and life in general. It's an admonition against self-sufficiency and trusting in one's own ability to scheme, manipulate, or outsmart others to gain riches. Instead, it calls for a humble submission to God's wisdom, which is often counter-intuitive to worldly thinking. This aligns with the broader biblical principle found in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart"), which encourages trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding. It implies seeking God's guidance through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel, rather than pursuing wealth through means that compromise one's faith or ethics.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 23:4, with its dual admonition against the obsessive pursuit of wealth and reliance on human wisdom, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profoundest meaning in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament wisdom literature consistently points to a wisdom that is divine, not human, and a life of true prosperity that transcends material riches. Jesus embodies this divine wisdom (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")) and perfectly exemplifies a life unburdened by the pursuit of worldly wealth. He taught His disciples not to "lay up for yourselves treasures on earth" but to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" ([Matthew 6:19-20](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-20 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), directly challenging the very inclination Proverbs 23:4 warns against. Christ's life was one of humble dependence on the Father, demonstrating that true security and provision come from God alone, not from human striving or cleverness (cf. [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry")). He Himself "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Giving")), revealing that true spiritual wealth is found in self-giving love and obedience to God, not in accumulation. Thus, Proverbs 23:4 foreshadows the perfect wisdom and contentment found in Christ, who frees us from the tyranny of mammon and invites us into a life of trusting dependence on God's unfailing provision and perfect guidance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 13:5

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Proverbs 28:20

¶ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 6:19

¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.