Proverbs 23:4 - Do not wear yourself out to get rich

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.

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

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.

Proverbs 23:4

Commentary

It is not worth ruining one's health for riches that have the habit of elusively disappearing.

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Pr 23:4). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Wealth teachings in Proverbs

The book of Proverbs issues a number of stern warnings about wealth. Wealth cannot give you peace (15:16) or wisdom (16:16), but it can create pride (18:11, 23) and trouble (15:6, 27) and friends who will not last (14:20). You should fear God (22:4) and share with others what God gives to you (11:24-25; 19:17). Watch out when somebody promises to make you rich in a hurry because those schemes backfire and leave you poor (20:21; 28:20, 22). The way to gain wealth is through hard work (10:4, 22) and faithfulness to the Lord.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Pr 22:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Titus 3:14 - Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good ...

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Titus 3:14

Commentary

Titus was to teach the other Christians (our people) to show hospitality, to care for the sick and afflicted, and to be generous toward those who were in need. Instead of working merely to meet their own needs and wants, they should have the distinctly Christian vision of earning money in order to share with the less privileged (see Eph. 4:28b). This would save them from the misery of selfishness and the tragedy of a wasted, unfruitful life.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Tit 3:14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?

Cretans were known for their laziness. Paul quotes the sixth century b.c. Cretan poet Epimenides who wrote: "The people of Crete always tell lies. They are greedy and lazy like wild animals" (Titus 1:12). To this poetic verse, Paul adds a nod: "That surely is a true saying" (Titus 1:13).

Miller, S. M., & Gross, P. (1998). How to get into the Bible. Includes index. (407). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.