– by Segun Adepoju*
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” Prov 23:23, NKJV.
Sometimes when you want to interpret the Bible, you might want to look beyond ordinary English language meaning – especially the rule of grammar. “Good,” “better,” and “best” are examples of irregular adjectives that function positionally as adjectives, comparative, and superlative, respectively. This means that semantically, with regard to quality, the superlative (best) is generally preferred. In the Bible however, it’s not always the case, if at all. That’s why you read something like, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11, NiV) and “… great shepherd of the sheep…” (Heb 13:20, KJV) (referring to Jesus Christ). Since there’s no one who could match Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for humanity, following the rule of grammar, he could have been described as the “best shepherd” and the “greatest shepherd” in those scriptural references. But that’s not always the case in biblical exegesis.
In context, who is a good man? A “good man” is a righteous man; a man who is led by God, and who is guided by the wisdom of God in making wealth. You are wealthy when you have possessions of great value in abundance and in excess. The possession could be tangibles such as houses, cars, gold, silver, and real estate. Intangible possessions could be intellectual property such as copyright, trademarks, and patents. Other examples of intangibles could be trade secrets, corporate stocks, bonds, and ownership rights in certain assets.
By extension, virtues that confer great benefits, such as prayers, godly life, courtesy, and a good name (great reputation) could also be described as wealth or legacy. Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold.” (AMP). A good name can open doors for honor and wealth. When he became King, David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Sam 9:1, NiV). Of course, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and Saul’s grandson, was presented to David. Even though lame in both feet, Mephibosheth began to dine at the King’s table that night – from Lo Debar (obscurity) to palace. Jonathan was a good man while alive. His good name survived him and fetched his son a great honor. I like the way the Message Bible translation captures Ecclesiastes 7:1, “A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date.”
Wealth can pass from the owner through trust, bequest, or testamentary disposition (such as will or codicil). One of the worries of the wealthy people is succession. Solomon captures it aptly when he said, “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.” (Eccl 2:18-19, NiV).
What then makes the good man’s wealth sustainably transgenerational? He deploys his God-given wisdom to make (godly) wealth, manages it profitably, and establishes sustainable succession plan. Guided by God’s Spirit of wisdom, the good man does not spend or squander all his wealth while alive. Instead, he leaves them behind for his estate as a legacy of hardworking and responsibility so that the future generations can improve on the wealth and compound its values.
In what might now be described as the “genetics of the genius,” Jacob legitimately produced tangible wealth through wisdom and intellect. Genesis 30:35 says, “he removed all the male goats that were streaked or spotted, and all the speckled or spotted female goats (all that had white on them) and all the dark-colored lambs, and he placed them in the care of his sons.” Please see verse 36 through 42. And verse 43 says, “In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.” (NiV). The once-upon-a-time supplanter and trickster repented, had encounter with God and became skillful. The result of his godly wisdom was amazing!
Conversely, in the context of proverbs 13:22, there is another man (the “sinner”- a person who runs his life contrary to God’s instructions). The sinner is unrighteous and by this very fact, he uses the principles that are outside of God’s wisdom such as greed, selfishness, corruption, stealing, and embezzlement. And the results? He begins to lose his self, mind, and the estate. Then, his wealth changes from his hands to other people who deploy righteous, godly wisdom of denial, discipline and delay of self-gratification to develop and sustain them. Proverbs 11:7 says, “When the wicked man dies, his expectation comes to nothing, and hope placed in wealth vanishes.” (HCSB). By the way, “wickedness” and “corruption” both scripturally mean sin or disobedience to God.
A time came when the Israelites’ sufferings under their Egyptian overlords came to a crescendo. Pharaoh still remained adamant even after God had released many deadly plagues on the land. God was determined to severely punish Pharaoh and the Egyptians by eliminating their first born so they could free the Israelites. But before then, God asked the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold. And the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the Israelites. (Exodus 11:1-2). Their requests were granted. There was a wealth transfer from the domains of the wicked Pharaoh to the Israelites. God also delivered Canaan (promise land) to the Israelites as an inheritance. (Joshua 14-18).
Looking at Proverbs 13, verse 11 up to verse 21 depict side-by-side scenarios of actions of the “righteous man” and those of the “sinner” (dishonest man versus wise and godly man). For example, we see in verse 11 that dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. Again, in verses 16 and 17, we see that “All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly. A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.” (NiV). Further study of the chapter would reveal a man with good understanding who is also prudent with good knowledge versus a fool.
Furthermore, someone who doesn’t have self-control or self-denial (fruit of the Spirit highlighted in Galatians 5:23 that makes a person righteous) or who is very reckless in spending will somehow get into trouble with the law. He may face forfeiture and the “wise man” buys it over. For example, a wealthy man who is not disciplined and engages in crime risks imprisonment. While in prison, his estate might be mismanaged and pass into the wise and “righteous” man. Proverbs 28, verses 18 and 20 say, “Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them] … A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” (Darby Translation).
Discipline is particularly important not only in wealth creation but also in sustaining it. The wise has financial and management discipline while the fool does not. Proverbs 13: 18 tells us, “Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.” (NiV).
Proverbs 13: 21 is a good premise for the interpretation of verse 22. Verse 21 says: “Adversity pursues the inners, But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.” (AMP).
Sometimes in the scriptures, the “sinner” could be interpreted as the “wicked” or “corrupt” man, in which case, the wickedness of the wicked might deprive them of the enjoyment of their wealth. The first time “corrupt” or “corruption” was used in the Bible was in the context of sin, disobedience, and departure from God’s command. See Genesis 6:3 and 11. Genesis 6:12 says “God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.” (NiV). Using ways of getting or creating wealth corruptly makes a person sinner. Proverbs 13:22 becomes clearer in the light of Contemporary English Version: “If you obey God, you will have something to leave your grandchildren. If you don’t obey God, those who live right will get what you leave.”
Proverbs 13:22 does not extend to post-rapture (end-time) period. Just to be sure, Proverbs 13:22 might not possibly be construed to extend to “left-over wealth” after the “rapture.” At this time (3.5 years) whoever is left behind is “unrighteous,” in the first instance. Besides, even if there are “righteous” people at this time, apart from the fact they would be slavishly dominated and maltreated by the anti-Christ and his officers, they would not have any right of personal possessions as all of the treasures of the earth would be centrally controlled by the anti-Christ. The wicked will not be able to partake of the glorious reigning of the saints during the Millennial reign of Christ and in the new heaven and new earth.
You might be tempted to assume that Proverbs 13:22 also finds expression in life hereafter, more so that the meek are blessed because they will inherit the earth. (Mathew 5:5). But a deeper understanding of the scriptures would reveal this interpretation’s defect. Talking about Jesus second coming, the Bible says, “Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Matt 24:1-2, NKJV). The same fate awaits the wealth of the sinners. All acquired inheritances, whether of “good man” or of the “sinner” – especially the tangibles – will definitely be destroyed one day, at the coming of Christ. 2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (NiV).
The pre-death wealth of the righteous and of the unrighteous have the same ending which is destruction before the judgment day. And even if anything is spared after the “rapture,” then, the anti-Christ would use it for its selfish end during the 3.5 years reign. Most importantly, the wealth and the materials of the current dispensation on earth are of no value to us in the “new heaven and earth”! If at all, the righteous man’s intangible wealth such as wisdom, reputation, godly life, prayers, etc., (when they help you mature in Christ Jesus), might be passed to the next generations to extend God’s kingdom’s frontiers. So, Proverbs 13:22b might not be taken to refer to exchange of wealth in life hereafter but in pre-rapture dispensation.
Proverbs 13:22 is one of those Old Testament scriptures that are context-based and should not be interpreted commonly. Otherwise, it would lose its meaning. It’s a principle and should not be taken as a sweeping sentence. For wealth creation, “unrighteous” people might use the principles of the scriptures (such as saving, investment, charity, prudence, change management, etc.) to “retain” or “compound” their wealth, and then sustain their wealth at the point of death. A Christian who practices the principles of God’s kingdom as seen the scriptures, however, is in a vantage position and poised for upper hands because God’s Spirit (the Spirit of excellence) lives in him.
God’s blessings upon the “good man” (the righteous) – especially the blessings of wealth creation – is for His Kingdom advantage; to extend the frontiers, making His children live well enough to remember Him, serve, and worship Him. God will not empower you with wealth to oppress others or to disobey Him.
Let me end by saying the that the greatest inheritance anyone can have is the kingdom of God. This is what the Bible describes in 1 Peter 1:4-5 which “… can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (NiV). Tangible assets can diminish. Intangible wealth can fade away. Only life in God is eternal. Do you have this life?
I pray that you become one of God’s children today, get filled with the skills of godly wealth creation and the Spirit of excellence. I also pray that God bless your efforts with wealth and with godly posterity who will continue to pass the baton of righteousness to the next generation – the Joseph generation and the Joshua generation. And above all, I pray that you have the wealth of eternal life. Amen.
* Segun Adepoju is a Bible teacher. He is passionately committed to discipleship and leadership in the body of Christ Jesus. He can be reached via X (formerly Twitter) @SegunAdepoju12