Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:28, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
American Standard Version
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
World English Bible version
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28 Meaning & Commentary
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. – Proverbs 11:28 (ESV)
Throughout The Bible, we often see a contrast between Mammon (the love of money) and God. Jesus Christ said that we are either serving God, or we are serving mammon – There is no in-between. There are no other gods besides those two: Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money”.
We are either trusting in God, or we are trusting in mammon (our riches). Not everyone has riches to trust in, but for those who do, the temptation is real. When Paul wrote his first letter to his disciple, Timothy, he told Timothy to command those who were rich to not trust in their wealth but in God: 1 Timothy 6:17 – As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Paul adds that God richly provides us with everything, not only the essentials we need but even more to enjoy! This ties in with what Jesus taught; if we seek The Kingdom of God first, everything else will be added to us: Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Looking again at Proverbs 11:28, we see that the person who trusts in riches will fall. Firstly, riches are uncertain and not guaranteed; businesses can dry up, the economy can fail, and we can go bankrupt. Secondly, if we trust in riches, we may attain riches but lose our standing in God completely and have no lasting relationship with God: Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 11:28 to our lives?
Proverbs 11:28 is a reminder that having our priorities correct is vitally important. Trusting in riches is a sure trap for failure. By trusting in God, we secure not only our souls but our provision as well. The way to put The Lord in control of our financial life is to follow his principles in our lives. This means giving tithes and offerings, not leaning on our own understanding, and acknowledging Him in everything we do, including our finances.
By being purposeful about giving, we are changed in the process, and our hearts become connected to The Kingdom of God: Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus said it is the treasure (money/possessions) first, and then the heart. This means that even though we may not feel like giving, have a heart for The Kingdom of God, or desire to carry out God’s purpose on earth; we can change that. We practically do it through giving and making a conscious and deliberate choice to give into The Kingdom of God.
As we do that, our hearts become aligned with His, and we will begin to flourish spiritually, emotionally, and financially in every area of our lives. When The Bible talks about prosperity, it talks about prospering in several different areas of our lives: 3 John 2 – Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. If we put our trust in God, we will prosper in every area of our lives and flourish like a green leaf!
Prayer
Mighty God, thank you for challenging and reminding me about correct priorities again. Help me to put my trust fully in You, not in riches that can disappear at any moment. I know walking with You is a firm and trustworthy foundation that cannot be shaken. Please open my eyes to see where You may not be the Lord of my life and help me to surrender these areas to You. I pray and ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
