Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:31, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
American Standard Version
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: How much more the wicked and the sinner!
World English Bible version
Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Proverbs 11:31 Meaning & Commentary
If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! -Proverbs 11:31 (ESV)
As human beings, we tend to think short term and lose focus on the long term. This applies to both the good and the bad.
If we do evil and are wicked, which I am sure we can all relate to, we don’t usually think about the long-term effects of what we do. We are generally short-sighted and are thinking about what is fun for now or what will please us in the short term.
Likewise, when doing good or sowing good seeds, we quickly get discouraged and want to give up. Proverbs 11:31 reminds us that payment will come for whatever seeds we have sown. Although we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and will not face judgment, the principle of sowing and reaping still applies.
The principle of sowing and reaping applies to all humanity across the board and will never pass away, according to what The Bible teaches us: Genesis 8:22 – While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer, and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Whatever we sow, good or bad, will come back to us, meaning that we will reap the seeds we have sown. This is what Proverbs 11:31 refers to. It is saying that whatever deeds are done on earth, by whoever are seeds which are sown, and those seeds will bring a harvest with them.
The book of Galatians makes it clear that whatever someone sows, they will reap from the seeds sown. There is no way around it, and the principle applies to all people, everywhere: Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. We also know that this law is universal and that God is no respecter of persons: Romans 2:11 – For God shows no partiality.
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 11:31 to our lives?
The challenge is clear from this portion of scripture. We must be mindful that whatever we do or say has consequences and will catch up with us. Therefore, we need to arm ourselves with this knowledge and live each day with purpose.
Even if we are sowing good seeds, there is a condition to receiving our harvest, which is not to give up, but to keep on doing the right things day after day: Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. The Bible promises us a reward, provided we do not give up. So, if we find ourselves getting discouraged when it seems like we are not seeing the fruit of our labor for The Lord coming to us, we need to keep our eyes fixed on God’s promise.
We also find encouragement from those who have gone ahead of us, and we should meditate on and follow their example: Hebrews 6:12 – so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. It is wise to periodically step back, take stock of our lives, and see where we may be involved in things that do not have eternal and lasting value. We can be sowing seeds of righteousness, evil, or perhaps neither of the two, but just keeping ourselves busy with other things which are not beneficial to us. This is what The Bible refers to as “weight,” which may be neither good nor bad, but rather just unnecessary things: Hebrews 12:1 -Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Let’s re-focus and spend our time sowing good seeds which will stand for eternity!
Prayer
Mighty God, I thank you for refocusing me today. I ask forgiveness where I have sown bad seeds. Help me put you at the center of my life and live with purpose in everything I do. Please give me the strength to endure the seasons of testing so that I can inherit the full harvest. I ask that you give me the Wisdom to apply Your Word so that I can live effectively in every sphere of life. I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
