Proverbs 23:4

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 23:4 offers a powerful two-part admonition concerning the pursuit of wealth and the source of true understanding. It challenges the common human inclination to tirelessly chase riches and to rely solely on one's own intellect in that pursuit.

Context

This verse is part of the book of Proverbs, a collection of wisdom sayings designed to instruct on how to live a righteous and prosperous life in the fear of the Lord. The Proverbs often contrast worldly pursuits with divine wisdom, highlighting the dangers of materialism and self-reliance. In a society where wealth could be seen as a sign of blessing, this verse provides a crucial corrective, reminding readers that the manner and motivation behind gaining wealth are paramount.

Key Themes

  • Warning Against Avarice: The phrase "Labour not to be rich" uses the Hebrew word yaga (יָגַע), which implies toiling to the point of exhaustion or weariness. It’s not a condemnation of hard work itself, but a caution against the obsessive, all-consuming pursuit of wealth that can lead to moral compromise, neglect of spiritual duties, and an unhealthy dependency on material possessions. This aligns with other biblical warnings about the love of money being the root of all evil or the impossibility of serving both God and mammon.
  • Reliance on Divine Wisdom: "Cease from thine own wisdom" directly challenges human self-sufficiency. The Hebrew word for "wisdom" here is binah (בִּינָה), referring to understanding or discernment. In this context, it speaks to relying on one's own cleverness, schemes, or worldly strategies to accumulate wealth, rather than trusting in God's providence and guidance. It's an echo of the broader biblical principle to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding".
  • The Fleeting Nature of Riches: Implicit in this warning is the understanding that earthly wealth is impermanent. Other proverbs, like Proverbs 27:24, state that "riches are not for ever," reinforcing the futility of making their accumulation life's ultimate goal.

Practical Application

For a general audience today, this verse offers timeless counsel:

  • Prioritize Rightly: Evaluate your motivations for work and financial pursuits. Is the acquisition of wealth your ultimate goal, or is it a means to serve God and others?
  • Cultivate Contentment: Learn to be satisfied with what you have, rather than constantly striving for more. This doesn't mean idleness, but freedom from the relentless grip of greed.
  • Seek God's Guidance: Instead of relying solely on your own intellect, schemes, or worldly advice for financial success, seek God's wisdom and guidance in all your endeavors. True security and prosperity come from Him.
  • Beware of Obsession: Recognize the spiritual and relational dangers of an obsessive pursuit of wealth, which can lead to stress, moral compromise, and a neglect of what truly matters.

Proverbs 23:4 serves as a strong reminder that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in a right relationship with God and a life lived according to His principles.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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