Proverbs 15 · a question people ask
"In the house of the righteous is much treasure" (15:6), but "Better is little, with the fear of the LORD" (15:16). Which is it?
The chapter says both. "In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble" (15:6). "Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble" (15:16). In Hebrew much in 15:6 and great in 15:16 are one word, and the two treasures are two different words. Both verses have trouble on the other side: the income of the wicked in 15:6, and great treasure in 15:16, though the two troubles are different Hebrew words too (tap trouble in 15:6). 15:6 doesn't say what the treasure is, or how it came; 15:16 doesn't say that those who fear the LORD will always have little. The book says it again another way: "Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice" (Proverbs 16:8), where a little is the Hebrew of 15:16's little, and revenues is the Hebrew of 15:6's income. The notes on Proverbs 3 and 8 set 15:16 beside their own sayings on wealth (Proverbs 3:10, 8:18). These notes make neither verse a promise about anyone's money, and apply them to no one's household.
The verses
“In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.”
“Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.”
“Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.”
“Honor the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”