There is nothing worth as much as integrity. This chapter has a lot about the importance of godliness, and the trappings of wealth. Wealth and money are not wrong, but they are not enough to make a great life. Respect is more important than wealth (v.16), how we gain money matters (v.1), and we need to be generous with the material things we have been given (vv.24-26). As a whole, this chapter gives the very vivid and real picture of people who live for money, and then their lives are empty – because what they love most can not truly love them in return. It also gives the picture of those who have gained wealth through godly means (wisdom, hard work, etc) – and then use that wealth to help others (not just ourselves or our own family), and don’t trust in that wealth more than God (v.28), and their lives become life to all those around them (v.30).
Proverbs is a book that challenges us to make choices. Most of the time we don’t even realize the choices we have made with our possessions – that we gain for ourselves and spend it all on ourselves. This chapter, and the whole Bible, challenges us to reevaluate, and grow into greater generosity, following Jesus our Lord.
http://nlt.scripturetext.com/proverbs/11.htm
