Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 14:24, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
American Standard Version
The crown of the wise is their riches; [But] the folly of fools is [only] folly.
World English Bible version
The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
Proverbs 14:24 Meaning & Commentary
The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. – Proverbs 14:24 (ESV)
A crown is something that represents, shows, or affirms something. A king who wears a crown is a king regardless of whether he is wearing the crown or not. If the king is sleeping, he is still a king. If the king is taking a shower, he is still a king. This verse says that wealth is a crown to a wise person. To paraphrase and understand this better, a wise person will have wealth. This “crown of wealth” will prove that they are wise. Wealth must eventually flow towards a wise person – wealth is attracted to wisdom.
We see elsewhere in The Bible that Riches and Honor are with wealth – they are part and parcel of the same “package”: Proverbs 8: 18 – Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. We know that The Bible is talking about wisdom here because if we look back a few verses, we see it: Proverbs 8:12 – I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. So, when we receive wisdom – riches and honor are right there alongside it. The word wise in Proverbs 14:24 can also mean skillful, shrewd, crafty, or wily. Meanwhile, the second part of Proverbs 14:24 says that “the folly of fools brings folly.” This just means that stupidity breeds stupidity. There is nothing good, pure, noble, or noteworthy that stupidity brings. Folly means foolishness or stupidity.
A foolish person brings little to no value to anyone or anything but usually just wants to express their opinion: Proverbs 18:2 – A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. In other words, folly will “crown” a fool’s life with more folly. However, wisdom will crown a wise person’s life with wealth (and more)! This is also how we can observe someone’s life and gauge where they are at. The reality is that a wise person should have something to “show for it”!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 14:24 to our lives?
We should never chase after money and make it our primary “goal” to attain. Instead, we should set our face towards wisdom: Proverbs 17:24 – The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. When we make wisdom, rather than money or focus and goal, we will have money and more!
The Bible invites us to ask God for wisdom with boldness: James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. The Bible promises that God will give it to us – this is not something to be questioned but just to be received. We also need to really get to know and understand The Word of God. The Bible is filled with wisdom and knowledge, which helps us grow in understanding and insight.
Another principle to apply is to surround ourselves with wise people: Proverbs 13:20 – Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. When we surround ourselves with wise people, their wisdom begins to rub off on us, and we begin to walk in wisdom ourselves. We need to be able to discern the “fruit” of wisdom in others’ lives.
This is what Proverbs 14:24 touches on: wealth is one of the “fruits” of wisdom. If we are going to follow someone we deem to be wise and receive wisdom from them, there must be fruit in their lives. For example, if we desire to build a successful business, we need to find another successful businessman with a proven track record of success. The Bible never teaches us to “try” hard not to be foolish. Instead, we are challenged to seek wisdom. As we do this, we will grow in wisdom, and foolishness will automatically begin to fall off our lives!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your invitation into a life of wisdom. According to the book of James, I ask you now for wisdom, and I thank You that You will answer me according to your promise.
Please surround me with wise people who can help me grow in wisdom. I ask that you give me the discernment and strength to end those relationships which do not benefit me. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
