Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,
but righteousness delivers from death.
Summary: Today’s verse is a collection of words that seem abstract at first glance. As we look at them more closely we discover that Solomon has given us a warning and a roadmap to life.
What do ill-gotten treasures, lasting value, righteousness, and death have in common? At first glance, one might think, “nothing!” But obviously, Solomon sees some value in bunching these together.
From a Christian perspective, righteousness is doing what is right in God’s eyes. That always brings me back to Matthew 22: 37-40, where Jesus says,
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Based on this, “ill-gotten treasure” is probably not on the list of possessions that a righteous person would own.
What, then, is of “lasting value?”
The only “treasure” of lasting value that Scripture talks about has to do with eternal life (Matthew 6: 19-21). (“Life” in this context is always associated with being with God in heaven.) Every other treasure can be taken away, even the treasure we call life (Luke 12: 13-21).
Which brings us to death.
Short of talking someone to death (a sin I am occasionally guilty of!), the kind of death Solomon is referring to is more long-term than the death we experience at the end of our lifetime. Solomon is talking about an eternal death, a death apart from God. In Proverbs 12: 28, Solomon explains:
“In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.”
In the end, this hodgepodge of words and concepts turns out to be a warning sign of sorts.
WARNING: Do you see that pile of glittery shiny things over there? The ones that you could take even though they are not yours? Don’t touch them!
Then there is a clue to the roadmap that leads to eternal life. Instead of material treasures, do what is right in God’s eyes, and you will avoid death. Not the physical death that is the way of all living things, but spiritual death. That is the one we can choose to avoid.
Application: Strive for righteousness in God’s eyes. Love him above all else, and your neighbor as yourself.
Food for Thought: In our modern world, what kinds of common things might qualify as “ill-gotten treasure?”
In our modern world, what kinds of common things might qualify as “ill-gotten treasure?”
Funny, the first thing that came to my mind was cheating on taxes. Maybe because it’s the season. I think though cheating on anything is “ill gotten treasure” and that can be taxes, trying to gain a certain appearance through surgery or extreme dieting/fitness routines, trying to gain a quick advantage at work/career, or trying to “become famous” through social media. All these things are an easy road to begin thinking more about yourself than God or others.
Proverb 1:19 “Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.”
Chris,
Great examples! I think that would fall under the “everyone does it” rationale, but of course that doesn’t buy us anything when we stand before our Creator.
04-11-2022, Proverbs 10:2, In our modern world, what kinds of common things might qualify as “ill-gotten treasure?”
We are eternal, created, spiritual beings confined in temporary physical bodies as we exist for a short time in a decaying world. To seek anything seen above all that is unseen is to seek ill gotten treasure. To seek to rule rather than serve is to seek an ill gotten treasure.
Matthew 6:19, James 5:2-3, Revelation 18:14, Proverbs 11:28
Matthew 6:33, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Ron,
The verses you referenced point to the eventual corruption of this world’s wealth. It makes me feel sorry for those who trade their lives away for a few handfuls of glittery things the world calls “treasure.”
I was thinking of the same passages as Ron from Matthew 6. Matthew 5: 19 – 33 are very instructive to this topic. So is 1 Timothy 6: 3 – 12. Great advice in verses 11 – 12. James 5: 1 – 6 are also great passages with some sage advice for the wealthy.
Rich,
“Weep and wail” is very interesting advice! (James 5:1)
In our modern world, what kinds of common things might qualify as “ill-gotten treasure?”
It could be anything that isn’t right in God’s eyes. I know I should be quoting scripture but I do like C.S. Lewis and I can’t remember the exact quote but it’s about how things are better when you go through the gate. Which relates to the narrow gate. Matthew 7:13-14. Yay I was able to include scripture.
Tim,
The “narrow gate” passage is an interesting reference. I often gloss over it as a kind of conundrum that belongs in the Mystery Bucket. If the gate is narrow and only a few find it, how then am I to be saved?
Fortunately for all of us, Jesus has become the gate!
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
Someone found the gate quote for me From Narnia, somewhat the equivalent of Eden “Come in by the gold gates or not at all; Take of my fruit for others or forbear; For those who steal or those who climb my wall; Shall find their heart’s desire and find despair. -Inscription on the Garden Gate”
Thank you A.
In a way to me the narrow gate that is hard to find is like an obstruction/split on your path in life. You have a choice to hop over a fence, cut through a bunch of peoples yards, one with a dog you didn’t know about and another yard where the owner is waiting with a shotgun. Then there is a gate that takes a little time and effort to find but it is the proper way to go because you know it is right, you’ve got permission and you’ve been told to go that way. But we are blessed with free will.
Tim,
Your words remind me of a delightful book I read many years ago called, “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. If you have never read it, you might enjoy it. It is available here online. It is not a religious book, but like many great stories, it deals with the themes of redemption and salvation in metaphorical terms.
Oh easy answer for your saved question. Grace.
Amen! 🙂
Rabbit trail….
If control is an illusion, which we know it is (at least for us created beings). Is possession also an illusion?
Why? I already need to do a personal study on the context of the gate passage.
Thank you, A.
Rabbit trails are welcome here. 🙂
Yours is especially interesting. Beneath your question is the fundamental question of “What is reality?” The worldly see the things of the world and believe that they are looking at reality. Those called to believe “see” behind the curtain (1 Corinthians 13:12) and realize that there is something more. We are not yet able to see clearly but we recognize the truths that the Bible teaches are, in fact, Truth. Once we come to understand that, then reality is flipped, and yes, what once appeared as reality suddenly is seen to be an illusion.
Thanks Jeff!