 | Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. |
 | Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. |
 | Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it. |
| Proverbs 13:11 |
Commentary
This proverb describes the natural long-term consequences of cheating. People who compromise their honesty to get rich merely postpone the inevitable need to earn their keep. The day comes when their cheating catches up with them, but by then their honest colleagues have become far better at obtaining wealth. Cheating doesn't work anymore, and the wealth of the dishonest is diminished.
Did you know?
This proverb describes the natural long-term consequences of cheating. People who compromise their honesty to get rich merely postpone the inevitable need to earn their keep. The day comes when their cheating catches up with them, but by then their honest colleagues have become far better at obtaining wealth. Cheating doesn't work anymore, and the wealth of the dishonest is diminished.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Pr 13:11). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
Did you know?
In the New Testament, many warnings are given of the dangers of letting money and things possess a person's heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of "treasures on earth" and "treasures in heaven" and called upon His followers to be careful of which treasure they chose (Matt. 6:19-21, 24).
Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.