Proverbs of Solomon, chapters 12-14 (NASB with ESV in parentheses)
12:27
A lazy man does not roast his prey,
but the precious possession of a man is diligence. (but the diligent man will get precious wealth)
Keep working and finish the work you start. Then you will enjoy the result of your labor. You can’t stop early or give up.
13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat. (richly supplied)
Bridges: “The sluggard desires the gain of diligence without the diligence that gains. He would be wise without study, and rich without labor.”
13:7
There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
First part: Do not try to be impressive and pretend to have success by buying things you can’t afford. Do not live a lifestyle above your income. Do not try to live like the rich by going into debt and buying what you can’t afford.
The second half could have either of these two meanings: 1. Don’t pretend to not have enough so you refuse to give to the needy, the church, and missions (Waltke). 2. Live so simply, not wasting your money on extravagant living like the rich, so that your community doesn’t know you are rich.
13:11
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it. (Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.)
Do not try to make money by shortcuts, schemes, or evil behavior. Easy money must not be obtained illegally or by harming others. There may be early success, but this will not last. Gather by hand. Little by little. Gradually. Slowly increas your money over many years. Don’t be in a hurry and try to take shortcuts.
13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
If you live in a righteous way and work diligently over many years, then you will amass money you can leave for your children’s children. Be thinking about the future generations. Not just you and this year.
13:25
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in need. (but the belly of the wicked suffers want)
Those with faith and obedience to God will have what they need in this life and fullness of joy in the age to come. The wicked will suffer terrible need in this life, at death, and at the second coming. Their sins will eventually fall on their own heads.
14:4
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
Don’t try to save money by skipping necessary investments. Buy the oxen and the fodder for the oxen. This may be a large expense, but it will help earn more money for your family.
14:23
In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
A lot of talk is not going to provide for your family: talk about plans, talk about the future, hang out with friends and talk, engage in intellectual talk. Talking is necessary at times, but you have to put in the work. Put in the hours of actual work.
The Order of the Lion 